As an undergraduate majoring in Computer Game Design and
Psychology, it has been challenging finding ways to take a multi-disciplinary
approach that blends the two fields in an academic setting. From my interest in
team psychology and leadership, I wanted to investigate the factors that
contribute to student game development to better equip students for working in
game studios, increase the effectiveness of courses in the Computer Game Design
Program, and to gain additional insight on team projects from a leadership
perspective. In the future, I would like to pursue organizational leadership
roles and contribute positively to the work environment, and this research
project has better equipped me with knowledge to tackle some challenges
students face while developing games.
For the study, there were three primary methods of
collecting data: student surveys at the beginning, middle, and end of a team
project; instructor interviews; and weekly surveys completed by a case study
group. Every week, I met with my mentor to discuss the progress of the study
and talk about approaches moving forward. In these meetings, I would discuss
how interviews went, interesting findings that surprised me, and looked at the
responses to the general student surveys.
Throughout this term, I have discovered how to navigate the
Internal Review Board (IRB), and the techniques required to keep data scrubbed
of all personally identifying information. Additionally, I have an increased
appreciation for the teaching techniques and approaches professors take in
order to inspire students to achieve success.
