Date of Award

1990

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Education Honours

School

School of Education

Faculty

Western Australian College of Advanced Education

First Supervisor

Ron Oliver

Abstract

This study investigated the types of Interactions which occurred as children played a computer based adventure game. Year six children (N = 15) from five different schools participated in the study and were observed playing the game over a period of three to four thirty minute sessions. Video tape recordings and direct observations were made of the groups as they played the game. Individual Interviews were conducted with each player at the conclusion of the treatment period. Data collected from each of the groups was used to study and the forms of Interaction displayed by players noted. It was found that the Interactions which occurred could be classified into twelve (12) distinct categories. 1. Moves Taken, 2. Suggestions Offered, 3. Proposal Made, 4. Questions Asked, 5. Help Offered, 6. Statement of Move, 7. General Discussion, 11. Verbal Conflict, 12. Physical Conflict. Of these twelve forms of Interaction, it was proposed that in the context of this study seven may be used as a possible means of identifying the level of co-operative behaviour in each of the groups. The frequency at which these seven interactions occurred within each of the groups was recorded and the results analysed to identify the presence of any significant differences which existed between the groups. Findings showed that in four of the groups, the playing of the game had no effect upon the development of cooperative behaviour among the players. In the remaining group, which was initially selected as comprising co-operative members, results showed that the level of co-operative behaviour displayed initially, remained constant during the course of playing the game.

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