Enhancing Teamwork through Games: A Systematic Literature Review Sakhi Aggrawal Department of Computer and Information Technology Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana saggrawa@purdue.edu Henrietta Boowuo Department of Computer and Information Technology Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana hboowuo@purdue.edu Abstract—This paper presents a systematic literature review that examines the enhancement of teamwork through games. The importance of teamwork in various domains is highlighted, emphasizing its role in achieving common goals and fostering effective group efforts. However, teaching teamwork poses challenges, as educators need to address dynamic interactions and develop students' collaborative skills and abilities. Furthermore, the history of games in education is explored, tracing their roots to John Locke's educational theories and their application in facilitating engaging and effective learning experiences. The methodology section outlines the inclusion and exclusion criteria for selecting relevant studies. Peer-reviewed articles published after 2010 were included, focusing on primary research that specifically addresses teamwork. Two electronic databases, Taylor & Francis, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore, were utilized to gather resources, ensuring reliable and abundant data. The data analysis involved a summary and evaluation of published research on enhanced teamwork approaches. A systematic literature review table was constructed to synthesize and summarize the selected studies. The PRISMA model was followed for identifying, assessing eligibility, and including relevant articles in the review. The results section presents key findings from the selected studies, showcasing their study designs, research questions, target populations, domains, and learning outcomes. The studies highlight the potential of teamwork to enhance team performance in games and the effectiveness of game-based training for fostering teamwork. Additionally, computer-based learning games were found to encourage collaborative learning and help students understand the significance of teamwork in achieving desired outcomes. This systematic literature review contributes to the understanding of how games can be used as effective tools for enhancing teamwork. It provides insights into the existing research landscape and identifies gaps and opportunities for further investigation. The findings have implications for educators, trainers, and organizations seeking to foster effective teamwork skills through game-based approaches. This paper can serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners interested in exploring the intersection of teamwork and games in various contexts. Keywords—teamwork, collaboration, games, effectiveness, systematic literature review I. INTRODUCTION Effective teamwork is crucial in various domains, ranging from business and sports to education and healthcare. The ability to collaborate, communicate, and work harmoniously within a team is highly valued, as it leads to improved problem-solving, increased productivity, and better overall outcomes. However, teaching and developing teamwork skills can be challenging, requiring innovative approaches to engage and motivate learners. In recent years, the use of games as a pedagogical tool has gained significant attention in educational contexts. Games offer unique opportunities for active learning, simulation, and experiential training, making them a potential catalyst for enhancing teamwork skills. By incorporating game-based activities into instructional practices, educators can create immersive and engaging experiences that foster collaboration, strategic thinking, and effective communication among learners. This paper presents a systematic literature review that explores the role of games in enhancing teamwork. The review aims to analyze and synthesize existing research to gain insights into the effectiveness of game-based approaches in promoting teamwork skills. By examining the current landscape of scholarly work, this study seeks to provide educators and researchers with valuable knowledge and implications for designing game-based interventions that effectively cultivate teamwork abilities. II. BACKGROUND A. The Importance of Teamwork A US Army colonel once said, in battle, “You may draw a small circle of individuals around a soldier, these persons will primarily determine whether he rallies or fails, advances or falls back” [1]. This statement highlights World War II's achievements on the battlefields and the challenges to be met in the exploration of space in the future. Originating in Middle English, the term ‘team’ originally referred to a group of animals, such as a team of oxen. In the simplest form, a team is a small group of entities working together towards a common goal [2]. Drew and Coulson-Thomas [3] further define a team as a group of individuals with complementary skills who are committed to a common goal, set of performance objectives, and approach for which they are jointly responsible. According to Volkov and Volkov [4], teamwork is a social construct that refers to the way people interact with each other influenced by 2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) | 979-8-3503-3642-9/23/$31.00 ©2023 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343284 Authorized licensed use limited to: Purdue University. Downloaded on January 07,2024 at 09:57:14 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.