Developing and Evaluating an Arcade-Based Educational Game to Improve Needs Analysis Skills in Online Learning Design

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v13i2.1556

Keywords:

arcade-based educational game, serious game, instructional design competencies, needs analysis skills, online learning design

Abstract

Effective online learning design requires instructional designers to possess strong needs analysis skills to identify student characteristics, contextual constraints, and instructional requirements. However, students in instructional design programmes often struggle to apply needs analysis frameworks in practice. This study developed and evaluated an arcade-based educational game, the Pali-Pali Game, to strengthen students’ needs analysis skills in online learning design. Using developmental research, the study followed three phases: exploration, design and development, and testing and evaluation. The game underwent expert validation, assessed for practicality by lecturers and students, and tested for effectiveness using a pretest-posttest design with undergraduate students. Results showed high validity and practicality ratings. Statistical analysis indicated a significant improvement in students’ needs analysis skills after using the game. These findings suggest that arcade-based educational games can serve as effective technology-enabled learning tools for strengthening instructional design competencies in teacher education.

Author Biographies

Ulfia Rahmi, Universitas Negeri Padang

Ulfia Rahmi is an Associate Professor in Educational Technology at Universitas Negeri Padang with a strong academic and research background. Her primary research interests include online learning, instructional media, and the integration of educational technology in higher education. Each year, she has successfully secured both internal and national research grants, demonstrating her consistency and excellence in research. She also received the European Union’s (EU) Erasmus+ funding, strengthening her international academic collaboration, for 2020-2023. Actively publishing in reputable international journals, she contributes significantly to the global discourse in educational technology. Currently, she serves as the Head of Open and Distance Learning Research Center (ODLRC), Universitas Negeri Padang. Email: ulfia@fip.unp.ac.id (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5195-554X)

Bayu Ramadhani Fajri, Universitas Negeri Padang

Bayu Ramadhani Fajri has been a lecturer at Universitas Negeri Padang since July 2018. He was a staff member at SEAMEO SEAMOLEC (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Open Learning Centre) in the IT Contents and Knowledge Management division. His research interests are: animations, virtual environments, augmented reality, virtual reality, edugame development, interactive media, simulation, programming and e-learning. Email: bayurf@unp.ac.id (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0167-3253)

Dedi Supendra, University of Sheffield

Dedi Supendra is affiliated with the University of Sheffield. He is a dedicated academic whose primary research interests center on educational technology, digital literacy, and the development of instructional multimedia. He focuses on how modern tools, such as educational games and digital platforms, can be integrated to enhance learning experiences in the digital age. Beyond his research, he is actively involved in community service, where he provides training and workshops to help teachers and students adapt to new technologies. Email: dsupendra1@sheffield.ac.uk (https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0888-5773)

Sari Fitria, Universitas Negeri Padang

Sari Fitria is a lecturer at Universitas Negeri Padang. Her academic interests focus on literary studies and language teaching. She is actively engaged in research and academic writing, and has received national and internal university research grants. Her works have been published in national journals. In addition to her academic activities, she is also involved in community service programs, contributing to the development and dissemination of knowledge in society. Email: sari7fitria@gmail.com (https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4812-7966)

Azrul Azrul, Universitas Negeri Padang

Azrul Azrul is an Assistant Professor in Teacher Training and Education Faculty at Universitas Islam Negeri Imam Bonjol Padang. His current research interests focus on e-learning, online learning, and instructional media, educational game, reflecting his dedication to advancing digital pedagogy. He is actively involved in community service programs, particularly in fostering and strengthening digital literacy communities. With a passion for academic writing, he consistently publishes his work in both national and international journals. Email: azrul@uinib.ac.id (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2091-7302)

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Published

2026-07-13

How to Cite

Rahmi, U., Fajri, B. R., Supendra, D., Fitria, S., & Azrul, A. (2026). Developing and Evaluating an Arcade-Based Educational Game to Improve Needs Analysis Skills in Online Learning Design. Journal of Learning for Development, 13(2), 314–327. https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v13i2.1556

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026): ISSUE 2

Section

Case Studies

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Ulfia Rahmi, Bayu Ramadhani Fajri, Dedi Supendra, Sari Fitria, Azrul Azrul

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Received 2024-06-28
Accepted 2026-04-02
Published 2026-07-13