The problem / intent

Sometimes players do not "improve" after replaying a game, or subpart of a game. A possible solution to this is that after completing a game, or a subpart of the game, the player is given a hint by an expert of how to improve that part.

The context

This pattern emerges in a setting where a game is deployed for a specific educational purpose. The game itself does not 'good enough' support the development of players skills or knowledge. So an external expert is asked to support the player.

Mathematical content	can be any
Learning and instruction	Teacher as an External observer. Mode of interaction is Stimulated by the teacher Underpinning theory of learning vigotskian and Socio-Constructivism
Educational context	Play is local to student. Role of teacher is that of facilitator
Interface + interaction	feedback can be tactile, graphical or auditive

The pattern

The pattern can be used either when there is an optimal solution, in that case pointing towards that solution, or when there exists several solutions. In the latter case, the game could either point toward better versions of the chosen solution or to other solutions to incourage diversity.

Note that this pattern may lead to railroading, i.e. the player perceives that the experience is predetermined and requires no active participation from the player. One way of avoiding this is to associate a cost for each report, even if it is only that the total playtime to get the perfect report is much longer than if one drawing ones own conclusions

Related patterns

Leads to: pattern a, pattern b. Patterns the user should consider after using this one.
Follows: Encouraged Retrial
Elaborates: Deployment
Elaborated by: Missing the math

Notes

Examples

The Rabbit Numberline Game

Link to case studies.