Gaming and Learning: Play, Game and Knowledge
with a contribution by Tiziano Vescovi
open access | peer reviewed
- Andrea Pontiggia - Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia - email
Abstract
This book explores game-based simulations as tools for learning, exploration, and innovation in economic and managerial contexts. It places particular emphasis on exploratory learning, distinguishing it from purely repetitive training: while repetition supports skill consolidation, exploration helps learners navigate uncertainty, confront unexpected outcomes, and develop adaptive mental models. By combining formal rules with meaningful freedom of action, simulations create environments where learning emerges through interaction, feedback, and experimentation. Integrating economics, management, game studies, and learning theory, the book offers an accessible conceptual and practical framework for readers, researchers, educators, and practitioners. No specific technical, managerial, or economic expertise is required of readers, except curiosity, interest, and a lightness of spirit.
Keywords Game-based learning • Game design and assessment • AI-enhanced learning environments • Exploratory learning • Simulation-based learning
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/979-12-5742-073-4 | e-ISBN 979-12-5742-073-4 | Published June 30, 2026 | Accepted June 15, 2026 | Submitted May 28, 2026 | Language en
Copyright © 2026 Andrea Pontiggia. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.