Digital Game-Based Support for Learning the Phlebotomy Procedure in the Biomedical Laboratory Scientist Education

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper deals with serious game integration in education to supplement traditional learning for procedural knowledge skills acquisition employing a mixed method research design. It is a well-written manuscript that can be further enhanced in the following ways:

 

1. L50-55: As the manuscript studies how serious games can facilitate durable knowledge construction, positioning procedural skills acquisition and the factors behind knowledge transfer can be also positioned in the context of meaningful learning [1,2].
2. L64-65: On the topic of alignment of game mechanics with learning outcomes I suggest considering also the work of Arnab et. al [3].
3. L179: How does StikkApp looks like? Please add representative snapshots.
4. L182: How is StikkApp designed from a gameplay and pedagogy point of view? How do students play the game, what do they do in it? How is gameplay connected to the course’s outcomes? Please provide more information.
5. L279: Figure 1 is not visible, please create three separate figures in bigger resolution.
6. L294: Please enlarge also Figure 2 to improve its visibility.
7. L370: Could this be a suggestion for the chunking of new content to avoid cognitive overload?
8. L468-473: In relation to these points it would be useful to comment in the Discussion the exciting performance improvements that VR simulations have recorded in surgery education [4].
9. L794: There is information missing in reference [30], e.g. conference title.

 

References

1. Mayer, R.E. Rote Versus Meaningful Learning. Theory Pract. 2002, 41, 226–232, doi:10.1207/s15430421tip4104_4.
2. Mystakidis, S. Deep Meaningful Learning. Encyclopedia 2021, 1, 988–997, doi:10.3390/encyclopedia1030075.
3. Arnab, S.; Lim, T.; Carvalho, M.B.; Bellotti, F.; de Freitas, S.; Louchart, S.; Suttie, N.; Berta, R.; De Gloria, A. Mapping learning and game mechanics for serious games analysis. Br. J. Educ. Technol. 2015, 46, 391–411, doi:10.1111/bjet.12113.
4. Logishetty, K.; Rudran, B.; Cobb, J.P. Virtual reality training improves trainee performance in total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. Bone Joint J. 2019, 101-B, 1585–1592, doi:10.1302/0301-620X.101B12.BJJ-2019-0643.R1.

Author Response

We greatly appreciate your valuable feedback! Please see our responses to your comments and suggestions:

1. Thank you for this suggestion, we have now incorporated this into our manuscript.
2. Thank you for this suggestion, we have now incorporated this into our manuscript.
3. Four screenshots from different sections of the game have been added to section 3.1, as well as a diagram showing the flow of the game.
4. Proper information about StikkApp is definitely very useful for the reader. We have now expanded section 3.1 to provide better insight into the game.
5. Figure 1 has been split up and the new figures have been moved to their respective places of reference in the text.
6. This figure has now been enlarged.
7. Interesting point! We have added a sentence about this in section 4.3.2.
8. Thank you for this suggestion, we have added a paragraph on the implications of this study in the sub-section "5.7 Future work".
9. Thank you for pointing this out, this reference has now been fixed.

 

Please also see the attached resubmission letter that contains all our reviewer responses as well as some general notes.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

I have read manuscript with great attention and interest. The article deals with a topic of education system for medicine students. The application is interesting and I think that the article can be judged again after major revision. In general, you have a proper academic way of referring and a good language. I really like the discussion sections, although they are quite long.

Congratulations to the authors of the work.

Comments and suggestions:

1. The main problem with the paper is that it contains practically no information about the developed application.
2. Figures are very small and they are hard to read.
3. Please, include UML diagrams (e.g. use-case) of the developed application.
4. Please, attach images (screenshots) from the app.

After revision, the article can be judged again.

Author Response

We greatly appreciate your valuable feedback! Please see our responses to your comments and suggestions:

1. Proper information about StikkApp is definitely very useful for the reader. We have now expanded section 3.1 to provide better insight into the game.
2. We have increased the size of figures. Figure 1 has been split up and the new figures have been moved to their respective places of reference in the text.
3. We have created a diagram showing the flow of the game, which we believe would be valuable.
4. We have now added 4 screenshots from different parts of the game.

Please also see the attached resubmission letter that contains all our reviewer responses as well as some general notes.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Now I think that the article can be accepted.