N-squad

Description:

N-Squad is an online game designed for 11-14 year olds to improve their knowledge about the consequences of alcohol consumption. The game includes 3 consecutive episodes set in a futuristic world in which you are a member of a team of forensic scientists. It starts with a hit-and-run incident in which a 19-year old driver is killed - and you have to conduct an investigation to determine if it was an accident or not. You complete different tasks and activities throughout the game - and receive feedback based on your answers - all designed to teach you about the consequences of alcohol consumption and the effects on your health. The game is publicly available and accompanying teacher resources are also available for use in schools.

Service URL:

http://nsquad.rice.edu/

Agency Responsible:

Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning and Department of Psychology, Rice University, Houston, USA.

Details

Format:

Game.

Intervention Type:

Educational (primarily educational material or psychoeducation). A preventative tool designed to improve user's knowledge about the negative effects of alcohol consumption

Course Length:

Moderate (2-5 modules). Game includes 3 episodes, each episode 30-45 minutes

Support Option:

Automated only.

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Alcohol.

Target Audience:

Adolescent. Target age 11-14. Accompanying support materials available for teachers

Language:

English.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: No registration required.

Contact Details:

via online contact form: http://webadventures.rice.edu/ed/Contact-Us/Contact-Options.html

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

0

Outcome Summary:

The efficacy of N-Squad has been examined in one study. A sample of 335 students (grade 6-12) completed the three episodes of N-squad. Student performance on an alcohol-related content knowledge test significantly improved following completion of N-squad, with a large effect size (d=0.98). Similarly, students also displayed significant improvements in their attitudes towards science following completion of the online game (but with a small effect size of d=0.23). Such findings suggest N-squad can help improve alcohol-related knowledge and change attitudes among students from 11 to 18 years old. However, the lack of control group in this study means it can only offer weak supportive evidence. Furthermore, additional, longer-term studies are needed to determine if this online game can encourage actual behaviour change and reduce alcohol consumption among adolescents.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

Read more about Beacon's Smiley Rating System.

Research paper citations

Klisch, Y., Miller, L.M., Beier, M.E., Wang, S. (2012) Teaching the biological consequences of alcohol abuse through an online game: Impacts among Secondary Students. CBE- Life Science Education, 11, 94-102.