Simulations and games for learning

Using simulations and games in education has risen sharply in the last decade, together with studies reporting on their learning effects. This article has three objectives: (a) to present the main features of simulations and games used for educational purposes as well as their hybrid forms; (b) to discuss how gamification can be employed to facilitate a transition from simulations to games; and (c) to outline some major findings and challenges underlined in the recent literature on the educational use of simulations and games with a focus on inquiry-based learning in science education.