Searching for Roles of Intrinsic Motivation in Instructional Games

Digital games are described as a new platform to motivate the students by providing an interesting experience and provoking a sense of engagement. Instructional games as a motivator for learning is appealing. In order to create motivated learner in game play, intrinsic motivation takes an essential part in learning process to make learning is self-determined, driven by their own volition rather than external forces. In this paper, the authors will explore the variables of intrinsic motivation and their interaction in game play, discussing how intrinsic motivation contributes gaming and academic achievements. In addition, the authors will explain the process by which games motivate learners, in order to enlighten the design of intrinsically motivating instructional games to create more motivated learner. Finally, guidelines of designing an instructional game are to be presented.