Amplifying applied gaming

This presentation explains how RAGE develops reusable game technology components and provides examples of their application.

D5.1 – Scenario Arrangement Document – round 1

This deliverable is a confirmation and update of 'D5.5 - First Version Scenario Arrangement Document – round 1' after a revisions with game developers. It outlines the implementation plan for each of the first-round studies of the RAGE pilots. The main goal of these pilots is to perform a small-scale test of the RAGE games with end-users and intermediary stakeholders in five different non-leisure domains to guide the further development of the games for the final validation studies.

Environnement d’adaptation pour un jeu sérieux

Nous avons développé un jeu sérieux afin d’enseigner aux utilisateurs à dessiner des diagrammes de Lewis. Nous l’avons augmenté d’un environnement pouvant enregistrer des signaux électroencéphalographiques, les expressions faciales, et la pupille d’un utilisateur. Le but de ce travail est de vérifier si l’environnement peut permettre au jeu de s’adapter en temps réel à l’utilisateur grâce à une détection automatique du besoin d’aide de l’utilisateur ainsi que si l’utilisateur est davantage satisfait de son expérience avec l’adaptation. Les résultats démontrent que le système d’adaptation peut détecter le besoin d’aide grâce à deux modèles d’apprentissage machine entraînés différemment, l’un généralisé et l’autre personalisé, avec des performances respectives de 53.4% et 67.5% par rapport à un niveau de chance de 33.3%.

Environnement d’adaptation pour un jeu sérieux

Nous avons développé un jeu sérieux afin d’enseigner aux utilisateurs à dessiner des diagrammes de Lewis. Nous l’avons augmenté d’un environnement pouvant enregistrer des signaux électroencéphalographiques, les expressions faciales, et la pupille d’un utilisateur. Le but de ce travail est de vérifier si l’environnement peut permettre au jeu de s’adapter en temps réel à l’utilisateur grâce à une détection automatique du besoin d’aide de l’utilisateur ainsi que si l’utilisateur est davantage satisfait de son expérience avec l’adaptation. Les résultats démontrent que le système d’adaptation peut détecter le besoin d’aide grâce à deux modèles d’apprentissage machine entraînés différemment, l’un généralisé et l’autre personalisé, avec des performances respectives de 53.4% et 67.5% par rapport à un niveau de chance de 33.3%.

Computer and laboratory simulation in the teaching of neonatal nursing: innovation and impact on learning

Objectives: to evaluate the cognitive learning of nursing students in neonatal clinical evaluation from a blended course with the use of computer and laboratory simulation; to compare the cognitive learning of students in a control and experimental group testing the laboratory simulation; and to assess the extracurricular blended course offered on the clinical assessment of preterm infants, according to the students. Method: a quasi-experimental study with 14 Portuguese students, containing pretest, midterm test and post-test. The technologies offered in the course were serious game e-Baby, instructional software of semiology and semiotechnique, and laboratory simulation. Data collection tools developed for this study were used for the course evaluation and characterization of the students. Nonparametric statistics were used: Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon. Results: the use of validated digital technologies and laboratory simulation demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) in the learning of the participants. The course was evaluated as very satisfactory for them. The laboratory simulation alone did not represent a significant difference in the learning. Conclusions: the cognitive learning of participants increased significantly. The use of technology can be partly responsible for the course success, showing it to be an important teaching tool for innovation and motivation of learning in healthcare.

Análise de impacto de recursos multimídias, simulação virtual e em laboratório na aprendizagem de estudantes de enfermagem

Introdução: Serious games podem viabilizar ambiente simulado virtual transformando a experiência de jogo em aprendizagem significativa (Marsh, 2011). Os recursos multimídias são também interessantes para uso no ensino, enriquecendo, por meio da tecnologia, conteúdo cientificamente estruturado (Fonseca et al., 2013). Outra estratégia bastante utilizada na área da saúde, na qual também temos interesse, é a simulação, que oferece vantagens como segurança do paciente, ética na assistência e oportunidades de aprendizagem clínica (Martins et al., 2012). Objectivos: Avaliar a aprendizagem cognitiva de estudantes de enfermagem sobre avaliação clínica neonatal em um curso semipresencial utilizando simulação virtual e em laboratório; comparar a aprendizagem cognitiva dos estudantes assumindo como intervenção do grupo experimental a simulação em laboratório; e avaliar o curso na perspectiva dos estudantes. Metodologia: Foi conduzido estudo quase-experimental junto a 14 estudantes portugueses incluindo pré-teste, teste intermediário e pós-teste. As tecnologias incluídas no curso oferecido foram serious game e-Baby (jogo educacional com formato de simulação virtual), software instrucional de semiologia e semiotécnica (recursos multimídia e conteúdo embasado cientificamente) e simulação em laboratório, todos no tema avaliação clínica do bebê prematuro. Para a avaliação do curso e caracterização dos estudantes foram utilizados instrumentos de coleta de dados desenvolvidos especificamente para este estudo, e análise descritiva. A análise estatística foi não paramétrica: Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon. Resultados: O uso de tecnologias digitais e de simulação em laboratório, evidenciou diferença estatisticamente significativa (p=0,001) na aprendizagem dos participantes. O curso foi avaliado como muito satisfatório pelos estudantes, que afirmaram, unanimemente, ter sido esta a primeira vez em que participaram de um curso envolvendo tecnologias educacionais digitais, apesar de já terem participado de outras simulações em laboratório. A simulação em laboratório isoladamente não representou diferença significativa no aprendizado (p=0,845), quando comparado grupo experimental em relação ao controle. Os resultados de avaliação do curso foram majoritariamente positivos variando essencialmente entre "muito bom" e "excelente" em todos os critérios. Sobre avaliação negativa, caracterizada pela opção "insuficiente", verificou-se no quesito: "Tempo reservado às práticas de simulação em laboratório" (n=3/21,5%). Tanto para a simulação em laboratório como a virtual, alguns estudantes sugeriram que fossem inseridos mais casos para estudo, de forma a oferecer mais material de natureza semelhante, reforçando a satisfação em utilizá-los como apoio para o curso oferecido. Conclusões: A aprendizagem cognitiva dos participantes aumentou significativamente ao se comparar os escores no fim do curso em relação ao início. A simulação em laboratório, analisada isoladamente, não representou mudança significativa nas pontuações quando se comparou grupo controle e experimental, o que destaca a importância da associação de ferramentas e estratégias no ensino superior em enfermagem. Considera-se que o uso de tecnologia seja parte do sucesso do mesmo, podendo ser uma importante ferramenta de inovação didática e motivação da aprendizagem na área da saúde. A avaliação dos estudantes sobre o curso reforça o interesse em ferramentas diferenciadas para apoio dos estudos.

Análise de impacto de recursos multimídias, simulação virtual e em laboratório na aprendizagem de estudantes de enfermagem

Introdução: Serious games podem viabilizar ambiente simulado virtual transformando a experiência de jogo em aprendizagem significativa (Marsh, 2011). Os recursos multimídias são também interessantes para uso no ensino, enriquecendo, por meio da tecnologia, conteúdo cientificamente estruturado (Fonseca et al., 2013). Outra estratégia bastante utilizada na área da saúde, na qual também temos interesse, é a simulação, que oferece vantagens como segurança do paciente, ética na assistência e oportunidades de aprendizagem clínica (Martins et al., 2012). Objectivos: Avaliar a aprendizagem cognitiva de estudantes de enfermagem sobre avaliação clínica neonatal em um curso semipresencial utilizando simulação virtual e em laboratório; comparar a aprendizagem cognitiva dos estudantes assumindo como intervenção do grupo experimental a simulação em laboratório; e avaliar o curso na perspectiva dos estudantes. Metodologia: Foi conduzido estudo quase-experimental junto a 14 estudantes portugueses incluindo pré-teste, teste intermediário e pós-teste. As tecnologias incluídas no curso oferecido foram serious game e-Baby (jogo educacional com formato de simulação virtual), software instrucional de semiologia e semiotécnica (recursos multimídia e conteúdo embasado cientificamente) e simulação em laboratório, todos no tema avaliação clínica do bebê prematuro. Para a avaliação do curso e caracterização dos estudantes foram utilizados instrumentos de coleta de dados desenvolvidos especificamente para este estudo, e análise descritiva. A análise estatística foi não paramétrica: Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon. Resultados: O uso de tecnologias digitais e de simulação em laboratório, evidenciou diferença estatisticamente significativa (p=0,001) na aprendizagem dos participantes. O curso foi avaliado como muito satisfatório pelos estudantes, que afirmaram, unanimemente, ter sido esta a primeira vez em que participaram de um curso envolvendo tecnologias educacionais digitais, apesar de já terem participado de outras simulações em laboratório. A simulação em laboratório isoladamente não representou diferença significativa no aprendizado (p=0,845), quando comparado grupo experimental em relação ao controle. Os resultados de avaliação do curso foram majoritariamente positivos variando essencialmente entre "muito bom" e "excelente" em todos os critérios. Sobre avaliação negativa, caracterizada pela opção "insuficiente", verificou-se no quesito: "Tempo reservado às práticas de simulação em laboratório" (n=3/21,5%). Tanto para a simulação em laboratório como a virtual, alguns estudantes sugeriram que fossem inseridos mais casos para estudo, de forma a oferecer mais material de natureza semelhante, reforçando a satisfação em utilizá-los como apoio para o curso oferecido. Conclusões: A aprendizagem cognitiva dos participantes aumentou significativamente ao se comparar os escores no fim do curso em relação ao início. A simulação em laboratório, analisada isoladamente, não representou mudança significativa nas pontuações quando se comparou grupo controle e experimental, o que destaca a importância da associação de ferramentas e estratégias no ensino superior em enfermagem. Considera-se que o uso de tecnologia seja parte do sucesso do mesmo, podendo ser uma importante ferramenta de inovação didática e motivação da aprendizagem na área da saúde. A avaliação dos estudantes sobre o curso reforça o interesse em ferramentas diferenciadas para apoio dos estudos.

Design guidelines for developing customised serious games for parkinson's disease rehabilitation using bespoke game sensors

The research presented in this paper proposes a set of design guidelines in the context of a Parkinson's Disease (PD) rehabilitation design framework for the development of serious games for the physical therapy of people with PD. The game design guidelines provided in the paper are informed by the study of the literature review and lessons learned from the pilot testing of serious games designed to suit the requirements of rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson's Disease. The proposed PD rehabilitation design framework employed for the games pilot testing utilises a low-cost, customized and off-the-shelf motion capture system (employing commercial game controllers) developed to cater for the unique requirement of the physical therapy of people with PD. Although design guidelines have been proposed before for the design of serious games in health, this is the first research paper to present guidelines for the design of serious games specifically for PD motor rehabilitation.

Essential features of serious games design in higher education:linking learning attributes to game mechanics

This paper consolidates evidence and material from a range of specialist and disciplinary fields to provide an evidence-based review and synthesis on the design and use of serious games in higher education. Search terms identified 165 papers reporting conceptual and empirical evidence on how learning attributes and game mechanics may be planned, designed and implemented by university teachers interested in using games, which are integrated into lesson plans and orchestrated as part of a learning sequence at any scale. The findings outline the potential of classifying the links between learning attributes and game mechanics as a means to scaffold teachers’ understanding of how to perpetuate learning in optimal ways while enhancing the in-game learning experience. The findings of this paper provide a foundation for describing methods, frames and discourse around experiences of design and use of serious games, linked to methodological limitations and recommendations for further research in this area.

Game Learning Analytics: Learning Analytics for Serious Games

Video games have become one of the largest entertainment industries, and their power to capture the attention of players worldwide soon prompted the idea of using games to improve education. However, these educational games, commonly referred to as serious games, face different challenges when brought into the classroom, ranging from pragmatic issues (e.g. a high development cost) to deeper educational issues, including a lack of understanding of how the students interact with the games and how the learning process actually occurs. This chapter explores the potential of data-driven approaches to improve the practical applicability of serious games. Existing work done by the entertainment and learning industries helps to build a conceptual model of the tasks required to analyze player interactions in serious games (gaming learning analytics or GLA). The chapter also describes the main ongoing initiatives to create reference GLA infrastructures and their connection to new emerging specifications from the educational technology field. Finally, it explores how this data-driven GLA will help in the development of a new generation of more effective educational games and new business models that will support their expansion. This results in additional ethical implications, which are discussed at the end of the chapter.

Mapping Learning and Game Mechanics for Serious Games Analysis in Engineering Education

In a world where students are increasing digitally tethered to powerful, ‘always on’ mobile devices, new models of engagement and approaches to teaching and learning are required from educators. Serious Games (SG) have proved to have instructional potential but there is still a lack of methodologies and tools not only for their design but also to support game analysis and assessment. This paper explores the use of SG to increase student engagement and retention. The development phase of the Circuit Warz game is presented to demonstrate how electronic engineering education can be radically reimagined to create immersive, highly engaging learning experiences that are problem-centered and pedagogically sound. The Learning Mechanics–Game Mechanics (LM-GM) framework for SG game analysis is introduced and its practical use in an educational game design scenario is shown as a case study.

Lesser-known worlds : bridging the telematic flows with located human experience through game design

This paper represents a new theorization of the role of location-based games (LBGs) as potentially playing specific roles in peoples’ access to the culture of cities [22]. A LBG is a game that employs mobile technologies as tools for game play in real world environments. We argue that as a new genre in the field of mobile entertainment, research in this area tends to be preoccupied with the newness of the technology and its commercial possibilities. However, this overlooks its potential to contribute to cultural production. We argue that the potential to contribute to cultural production lies in the capacity of these experiences to enhance relationships between specific groups and new urban spaces. Given that developers can design LBGs to be played with everyday devices in everyday environments, what new creative opportunities are available to everyday people?

Now everything looks like a game : Mobile phones and location-based games.

This paper explores how we may transform peoples’ perceived access to cultural participation by exploiting the possible relationships between place, play and mobile devices. It presents SCOOT; a location-based game in order to investigate how aspects of game-play can be employed to evoke at once playful and culturally meaningful experiences of place. In particular this paper is concerned with how the portable, communicative and social affordances of mobile phones are integral to making a “now everything looks like a game” experience.

Serious playground : using Second Life to engage high school students in urban planning

Virtual world platforms such as Second Life have been successfully used in educational contexts to motivate and engage learners. This article reports on an exploratory workshop involving a group of high school students using Second Life for an urban planning project. Young people are traditionally an under-represented demographic when it comes to participating in urban planning and decision making processes. The research team developed activities that combined technology with a constructivist approach to learning. Real world experiences and purposes ensured that the workshop enabled students to see the relevance of their learning. Our design also ensured that play remained an important part of the learning. By conceiving of the workshop as a ‘serious playground’ we investigated the ludic potential of learning in a virtual world.

It's time to be more serious about activating youngsters : lessons for childhood obesity

The epidemic of obesity is impacting an increasing proportion of children, adolescents and adults with a common feature being low levels of physical activity (PA). Despite having more knowledge than ever before about the benefits of PA for health and the growth and development of youngsters, we are only paying lip-service to the development of motor skills in children. Fun, enjoyment and basic skills are the essential underpinnings of meaningful participation in PA. A concurrent problem is the reported increase in sitting time with the most common sedentary behaviors being TV viewing and other screen-based games. Limitations of time have contributed to a displacement of active behaviors with inactive pursuits, which has contributed to reductions in activity energy expenditure. To redress the energy imbalance in overweight and obese children, we urgently need out-of-the-box multisectoral solutions. There is little to be gained from a shame and blame mentality where individuals, their parents, teachers and other groups are singled out as causes of the problem. Such an approach does little more than shift attention from the main game of prevention and management of the condition, which requires a concerted, whole-of-government approach (in each country). The failure to support and encourage all young people to participate in regular PA will increase the chance that our children will live shorter and less healthy lives than their parents. In short, we need novel environmental approaches to foster a systematic increase in PA. This paper provides examples of opportunities and challenges for PA strategies to prevent obesity with a particular emphasis on the school and home settings.