A deficit exists in Ohio high schools students' performance on the social studies section of the Ohio Graduation Test (Ohio Department of Education, 2007b). In this thesis, the researcher has studied and proposed a curriculum model integrating gaming into the social studies curriculum, with the purpose of aiding students on the social studies section of the Ohio Graduation Test.
Digital game-based learning has been endorsed by many expert supporters as an effective learning tool. However, little research has been conducted to explore how to implement a pedagogically-sound digital game-based learning model into an existing curriculum (Van Eck, 2006). Digital game-based learning may be the solution to engaging today's students who are unengaged in the classroom but engaged by nearly every other aspect of their lives (Prensky, 2005).
To assess the validity and potential success of the curriculum, the researcher presented a series of questions to an expert panel comprised of a subject matter expert, curriculum specialist and gaming expert. This study is one step in garnering a body of knowledge and research to support integration of digital-game based learning into K-12 curriculum to reinforce student learning.