Development and Use of a Playful Learning Observation Tool (PLOT) for Active Game-Based Learning in Physical Classroom Situations

The Playful Learning Observation Tool (PLOT) is presented as a qualitative observation instrument designed to help observers analyze game-based learning (GBL) as it unfolds in physical classrooms. Its authors argue that existing observation frameworks lack dedicated guidance for live GBL settings, and they respond by synthesizing classroom observation models, GBL evaluation criteria, and self-determination theory's motivation continuum into a single tool. The stated aims are to focus specifically on GBL interactions, to present observations as a relevant item list, to remain usable by observers without specialized GBL expertise, and to support both descriptive and evaluative analysis. The authors stress that observational data should be triangulated with surveys and interviews rather than used alone.

The instrument consists of 51 yes/no items organized under four categories, Who?, What?, Why?, and How?, with items coded to motivational constructs. To test it, the authors applied PLOT to two contrasting games: a digital multiplayer quiz played by 12 undergraduates and a non-digital board game played by 12 high school students, with each group observed across four 90-minute sessions by a single observer. The quiz scored highest on intrinsic challenge-related constructs, namely accomplishment and task value autonomy, but also registered higher levels of regulated extrinsic motivation and amotivation. The board game scored highest on intrinsic stimulation, relatedness, and task value competence, alongside significant internalized extrinsic motivation.

The authors are candid about the study's limitations, which include reliance on a single observer, data collection constrained by COVID-19 restrictions, and testing on only two games. Consequently, the tool's validity is not yet established, and the authors conclude that broader testing across additional games, settings, and observers is necessary before PLOT can be recommended for wider use.