GAMEFUL. Videogame-based Assessment of Executive Functions through machine Learning

Details

ERC sector: SH4 - The Human Mind and Its Complexity
ERC subsector: SH4_1 - Cognitive basis of human development, developmental disorders; comparative cognition
Project start date: 05/10/2023
CUP: D53D23009350006
Financial support received: €41.735,00

Description and purpose

The project focuses on the personalized, videogame-based assessment of executive functions. This approach aligns with the principles of precision education, which seeks to tailor educational practices to individual learners based on their unique characteristics. The project explores the application of machine learning within the field of learning analytics. The expected outcomes include prototype tools for educators to assess children’s executive functions and forecast their progress.

Purpose

This project employs machine learning techniques to analyze data collected from children's participation in a video game-based executive function training program. This analysis aims to achieve the following objectives:

- To identify executive function profiles among children by analyzing their performance on a planning task; and

- To examine trajectories of change in planning skills over the two-month period during which children will engage repeatedly with the planning task.

Expected results

The expected results of the project are:

- Design of a planning task with the identification of a corresponding validation protocol.

- Design, implementation, and application of software components for the planning task.

- Collection of pre- and post-training assessments for the planning task.

- Execution of the study based on the planning task.

- Development of two machine learning models created and validated using data available from the study.

Achieved results

The results achieved by the project as of October 5th 2025 are: