"The X in balance", a serious game to learn how to solve mathematical equations

(Prefácio) This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Masters (Engenharia Informática) at University of Évora. Under the supervision of Professor Francisco Manuel Gonçalves Coelho, i have selected to work on game design. With the specific period of time and resources, an attempt has been made to make a serious educational game. While writing this thesis, the objective was to describe a math game for solving mathematical equations. Injecting learning factor in a game, is a main concern of this project. The document is about the description of ‘X in Balance’ game. This game provides a platform for school aged students to solve the equations by playing game. It also gives a unique dimension of putting fun and math in a same platform. The document describes full detail on the project. The first chapter gives an introduction about the problem faced by students in doing maths and the learning behavior of a game. It also points out the opportunities that this game might brings and the motivation behind doing this work. It describes the game concept and its genre too. Besides, the second chapter tells state of an art of serous educational game. It defines the concept of serious game and its types. Furthermore, it justifies the flexibility of serious games to adapt all learning styles. The impact of serious games on learning is also mentioned. It also includes the related work of other researchers.

Serviços educativos e turismo cultural no museu da tapeçaria de Portalegre Guy Fino

Este projecto faz uma abordagem à nova museologia e ao seu papel no mercado do turismo, com especial enfoque nos serviços educativos dos museus portugueses e na sua relação com o turismo cultural. O estudo do património artístico e cultural do Museu da Tapeçaria 1e Portalegre Guy Fino e da Manufactura de Tapeçarias de Portalegre, bem como a análise crítica dos serviços educativos de museus importantes a nível nacional e internacional, serviram de suporte à realização do projecto de criação de serviços educativos no referido Museu. O projecto tem como principal objectivo qualificar a oferta turístico-cultural que as Tapeçarias de Portalegre representam e está estruturado de forma a poderem ser desenvolvidas actividades em rede com os outros dois museus da cidade, o Museu Municipal e a Casa Museu José Régio. Foram escolhidas, como áreas temáticas, a História, a História da Arte e a Literatura. As actividades propostas para as áreas temáticas, são de três tipos: visitas dinamizadas, visitas-oficina e vistas-jogo, podendo algumas delas ser desenvolvidas on-line, de forma interactiva. Todas as actividades propostas exploram conteúdos programáticos que integram os planos curriculares do 1° Ciclo do Ensino Básico, podendo algumas delas ser desenvolvidas também por alunos do 2° Ciclo e por famílias de diferentes nacionalidades. O projecto constitui um primeiro passo para uma progressiva transformação das Tapeçarias de Portalegre numa atracção âncora do turismo cultural regional, sem perder de vista as suas inquestionáveis potencialidades de se tornar numa atracção de âmbito nacional e internacional. ABSTRACT: This project makes an approach to the new museology and its role on tourist market, with special focus on the educational services in portuguese museums and its relationship with cultural tourism. The investigation about the artistic and cultural patrimony of Guy Fino Museum and the Manufacture, as well as the critic analysis of educational services in important national and international museums, supported the present project of creation of educational services for Guy Fino Museum. The defined main objective of the project is qualifying the touristic and cultural offer represented by the Tapestries of Portalegre. lt is structured in a way that allows activities to be developed in network with other museums in the city: The Municipal Museum and the Museum House of Jose Regio. ln this way, the following areas were chosen: History, History of Arte and Literature. The activities proposed for the themes are three types: dynamic visits, visits - hands on and visits - games, some being developed on-line, in an interactive way. Twelve activities were conceptualized. Ali the proposed activities explore programmed contents that integrate curricular plans of primary school. Some of the activities can also be developed by students of secondary school and families. The translation of the material used should be in a way that they can be used and developed by foreign visitors. The project constitutes a first step for a progressive transformation of the Tapestries of Portalegre in an anchor attraction of the regional cultural tourism, being sure of their unquestionable potentialities to become a national and international attraction.