Computerspil som en vej til dannelse

This thesis is concerned with the field of computer games and learning often referred to as Serious Games. Initially it is argued that a specific focus on the educational term bildung can enrich the field’s understanding of the learning relating to the games. Bildung is a term originating from German philosophical discourse and is in a wide array of definitions used to discuss how the personalities of individuals takes shape as these individuals meets the world and themselves in various ways. In order to examine the implications for this unique aspect of learning that are connected to the relatively new computer game media, the first part of the thesis is dedicated to establishing a new analytical perspective that sees the computer games as environments for bildung. This is done by fusing theory about bildung, play, media and communication, formalism, situationism and affordance.In the second half of the thesis the perspective is applied analytically to the popular computer game League of Legends. This is done in order to discuss the dynamics of bildung that the interplay between individuals and the game co-creates.Furthermore, the implications of the analytical perspective are discussed. Finally, a critical approach to the games is suggested as an important factor in the potential for a healthy learning outcome.