The mediating role of Serious Games on Students’ Technical and Soft Skills Development in the Industry 5.0 Era: SLR

Abstract

As we step into the age of Industry 5.0, where the focus is on creating a harmonious blend of human expertise and advanced technology, higher education faces a significant challenge. It’s no longer just about equipping students with technical know-how; they also need to develop essential soft skills that are crucial for today’s workforce. This study looks into how serious games can play a vital role in helping college students acquire these skills for the Industry 5.0 landscape. By reviewing various studies indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, we found that serious games offer engaging and immersive learning experiences. They not only deepen students’ grasp of key technologies but also promote collaboration, critical thinking, resilience, and ethical awareness. The results also highlight that certain game design features, like reward-based mechanics, immersive realism, and collaborative dynamics, are crucial in achieving these outcomes. However, the predominance of technocratic and efficiency-oriented approaches within these games appears to be misaligned with the human-centric principles of Industry 5.0. Looking ahead, there is a real need to explore long-term skill retention, the customization of game design to accommodate diverse learner profiles, and potential healthrelated concerns, including cybersickness, while ensuring adherence to human-centric values. The insights from this study emphasize the exciting potential of serious games in shaping the future of education in this rapidly evolving industrial landscape.