Education for Energy Efficiency through an Educational Game

This paper presents an assessment of an educational game for teaching the efficient use of electricity. Developed with Adobe Flash (R), it is a virtual board game where participants choose a car that starts the path and reaches the same final goal, going through a number of track steps defined in terms of a dice that each player rolls in turn. The car moves if the participant is able to correctly answer a question that is randomly generated by the software. The objective of the game is to answer questions related to energy efficiency promoting a healthy and attractive learning process for participants on concepts related to energy efficiency such as: the rational use of energy, the basic concepts of forms of energy generation, among others. The main objective of this paper is to assess the impact of the application of this virtual game in the teaching and learning process of high school students. Therefore, the game was applied in the discipline of physics in a class of junior high public school in the state of Sao Paulo. Initially, the class that had 43 students was divided into 10 groups of 4 students, and 1 group of 3 students. Each student group competed with one another. The idea was that each of them should indicate a student who was the representative of this group until only 4 group leaders were selected for the finals. At this stage, each student could interact with a group of up to ten students that acted as advisers. The adopted assessment process is based on the model proposed by Savi [7]. Then, at the end of the game, the students answered a prepared questionnaire based on the model proposed by Savi. According to Savi, although there are significant studies that show the importance of educational games for the process of cognitive development and learning concepts of students, there are few papers that present forms of assessing the potential of these resources. Thus, the assessment criteria proposed by Savi are based on the model of training evaluation by Kirkpatrick [3], taken as a reference to measure the efficiency of processes of continuing education courses for professionals. The authors assert that the metric of the evaluation proposed to assess the game is based on the first level of the model proposed by Kirkpatrick.

The Path between Pedagogy and Technology: Establishing a Theoretical Basis for the Development of Educational Game Environments

The power of computer game technology is currently being harnessed to produce “serious games”. These “games” are targeted at the education and training marketplace, and employ various key game-engine components such as the graphics and physics engines to produce realistic “digital-world” simulations of the real “physical world”. Many approaches are driven by the technology and often lack a consideration of a firm pedagogical underpinning. The authors believe that an analysis and deployment of both the technological and pedagogical dimensions should occur together, with the pedagogical dimension providing the lead. This chapter explores the relationship between these two dimensions, and explores how “pedagogy may inform the use of technology”, how various learning theories may be mapped onto the use of the affordances of computer game engines. Autonomous and collaborative learning approaches are discussed. The design of a serious game is broken down into spatial and temporal elements. The spatial dimension is related to the theories of knowledge structures, especially “concept maps”. The temporal dimension is related to “experiential learning”, especially the approach of Kolb. The multi-player aspect of serious games is related to theories of “collaborative learning” which is broken down into a discussion of “discourse” versus “dialogue”. Several general guiding principles are explored, such as the use of “metaphor” (including metaphors of space, embodiment, systems thinking, the internet and emergence). The topological design of a serious game is also highlighted. The discussion of pedagogy is related to various serious games we have recently produced and researched, and is presented in the hope of informing the “serious game community”.

TimeMesh: an educational historical game

The TIMEMESH game, developed in the scope of the European Project SELEAG, is an educational game for learning history, culture and social relations. It is supported by an extensible, online, multi-language, multi-player, collaborative and social platform for sharing and acquiring knowledge of the history of European regions. The game has been already used, with remarkable success, in different European countries like Portugal, Spain, England, Slovenia, Estonia and Belgium.

Educational Games for Learning Programming Languages

A concept of educational game for learning programming languages is presented. The idea of learning programming languages and improving programming skills through programming game characters’ behavior is described. The learning course description rules for using in games are suggested. The concept is implemented in a game for learning C# programming language. A common game architecture is modified for using in the educational game. The game engine is built on the base of the graphical engine Ogre3D and extended with game logic. The game has been developed as an industry level commercial product and is planned for sale to educational institutions.

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.

"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.

Desesenvolvimento de recursos educativos para a área de matemática em dispositivos móveis

A combinação do avanço tecnológico com o crescimento da aquisição de dispositivos móveis refletiu-­‐se na vida diária das pessoas, sendo usado nas atividades de trabalho e lazer. A transposição dessa realidade para a sala de aula, não se fez esperar, inicialmente até de uma forma marginal mas acabando por ser aceite. Confrontada com esta nova realidade as autoridades educativas começaram a apoiar e a incentivar as instituições. O desenvolvimento de tecnologias como b-­‐learning, m-­‐learning e dos sistemas de aprendizagem (Learning Management System) deram uma grande contribuição para o desenvolvimento das tecnologias móveis no ensino, no entanto ainda hoje os intervenientes da educação, especialmente professores e alunos, sentem diversas necessidades. Neste contexto procedeu-­‐se ao desenvolvimento de um recurso educativo para a disciplina de matemática. Este recurso educativo está suportado numa plataforma que permite colocar conteúdos, visualiza-­‐los, alterá-­‐los e elimina-­‐los. Numa vertente mais lúdica, foi desenvolvido um jogo didático para um dispositivo móvel, neste caso o iPhone. Desta forma o aluno aprende sem se aperceber que está a aprender e pode faze-­‐lo em qualquer lugar e em qualquer período de tempo. Explorando, assim, a interatividade e a mobilidade.

Jogos digitais com contos infantis - Uma proposta de brinquedo-jogo para dispositivos móveis

O desenvolvimento e proliferação de equipamentos e produtos multimédia, permitindo a combinação de som, imagem e texto despoletou a emergência de novos estímulos que se associam a sensações, novas formas de interagir, de comunicar e também de brincar e aprender. Jogar e brincar são excelentes fontes de estímulos, principalmente para as crianças, pois potenciam a evolução da lógica, do raciocínio, das associações e da capacidade de escolha. No contexto dos jogos, decorrente da evolução tecnológica, o mercado dos jogos digitais tem vindo a expandir-se consideravelmente, nomeadamente na área dos jogos educativos. Os jogos educativos baseados em contos infantis permitem um enriquecimento de experiências, de capacidades sequenciais de lógica e promovem a apetência da criança para fantasiar num mundo paralelo. No entanto, do nosso ponto de vista, o mercado dos jogos digitais ainda tem um longo caminho a percorrer para fornecer de forma equilibrada este tipo de jogos educativos. Com este trabalho abordam-se as potencialidades que os jogos educativos baseados em contos infantis podem ter no desenvolvimento de algumas competências das crianças, nomeadamente através da análise das suas vantagens e dos seus aspetos negativos. O mercado dos jogos digitais é também analisado para determinar os seus contributos e as ideias principais presentes. A componente prática deste trabalho de mestrado contempla a criação de um jogo educativo baseado em contos infantis que corresponda aos interesses das crianças entre os 3 e os 5 anos de idade, e que fomente o desenvolvimento de algumas das suas competências a nível da linguagem. Os testes feitos com o protótipo do jogo permitem aferir a recetividade por parte das crianças. A simplicidade no manuseamento da aplicação e o facto de integrar histórias do imaginário infantil consideram-se fatores positivos e motivadores à utilização do jogo “Contos Baralhados: Brinca com as Histórias”.

A framework for developing motion-based games

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática

Sistema de apoio à aprendizagem na área da discalculia em menores

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Biomédica (área de especialização em Informática Médica)

Diseño, implementación y evaluación de un juego educativo basado en puzles con scaffolding orientado a la programación

Existe una falta de interés por parte de los estudiantes en el área de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) que se ve reflejada en el descenso de las matriculaciones en este ámbito. El uso de metodologías de aprendizaje basadas en el Constructivismo combinadas con tecnología software, se ha observado que es una buena solución para afrontar dicha falta de interés. Sin embargo, actualmente no existen aplicaciones software que implementen estas metodologías pedagógicas y que proporcionen a los estudiantes los mecanismos de ayuda necesarios (Scaffolding) para darles soporte durante el aprendizaje de conceptos TIC. Una posible solución a este problema es el uso de juegos educativos, los cuáles implementarán técnicas de Scaffolding que den el soporte necesario al estudiante para alcanzarlos objetivos de aprendizaje fijados. Por tanto, en este proyecto se diseñará e implementará un juego educativo basado en puzles orientado a la Programación que estará basado en un método aprendizaje basado en el Constructivismo en el que el estudiante construye su propio conocimiento. Una vez implementado, será evaluado en un centro escolar por parte deestudiantes de últimos cursos de ESO o Bachillerato.

Étude de cas sur la dynamique motivationnelle d’élèves à risque du 3e cycle du primaire et de l’influence du jeu éducatif numérique en mathématiques sur celle-ci

Le phénomène du décrochage scolaire est encore très présent dans notre société, particulièrement chez les garçons. Notre mémoire s’intéresse à la question et vise à mieux comprendre la dynamique motivationnelle d’un échantillon (N=11) d’élèves masculins considéré comme étant « à risque » de décrochage au 3e cycle d’une école primaire de Montréal. De plus, notre expérimentation vise spécifiquement à décrire l’influence de l’utilisation d’une activité pédagogique dite « motivante » : le jeu éducatif numérique « Math en Jeu » sur la dynamique motivationnelle à apprendre en mathématiques. Il s’agit d’une étude de cas avec une approche mixte de collecte de données. Nos résultats révèlent quatre profils de dynamique motivationnelle chez les élèves de notre échantillon : 1) les élèves en difficulté en mathématiques, 2) les élèves démotivés et 3) les élèves démotivés et en difficulté en mathématiques, puis, 4) des cas plus complexes. Notre analyse montre que « Math en Jeu » suscite un grand intérêt chez tous les élèves de notre échantillon. L’influence du jeu sur la dynamique motivationnelle semble toutefois mieux convenir aux élèves avec des dynamiques motivationnelles de type « démotivé » ou « démotivé et en difficulté en mathématiques » et dans une certaine mesure, certains élèves catégorisés comme étant des « cas complexes ». Nos résultats indiquent que le jeu pourrait notamment avoir une certaine influence sur le sentiment de compétence à réussir de l’élève. Toutefois, pour être en mesure de mieux décrire et analyser ces influences, il serait préférable de mener des recherches sur une plus longue durée, dans un contexte naturel de classe et sur un échantillon d’élèves plus grand.

Criar o próprio jogo didático ou apenas jogar? Efeitos de diferentes estratégias de ensino na motivação e aprendizado de ciências

The use of games as educational tools is common, however the effectiveness of games with educational purposes is still poorly known. In this study we evaluated three different low-cost teaching strategies make and play your own board game, just play an educational science game and make a poster to be exposed in the school regarding: (1) science learning; (2) use of deep learning strategies (DLS); and (3) intrinsic motivation. We tested the hypothesis that, in these three parameters evaluated, scores would be higher in the group that made and play their own game, followed respectively by the group that just played a game and the group that made a poster. The research involved 214 fifth-grade students from six elementary schools in Natal/RN. A group of students made and played their own science board game (N = 68), a second group played a science game (N = 75), and a third group made a poster to be exposed at school (N = 71). Our hypothesis was partly empirically supported, since there was no significant difference in science learning and in the use of DLS between the group that made their own game and the group that just played the game; however, both groups had significantly higher scores in science learning and in use of DLS than the group that made the poster. There was no significant difference in the scores of intrinsic motivation among the three experimental groups. Our results indicate that activities related to non-digital games can provide a favorable context for learning in the school environment. We conclude that the use of games for educational purposes (both making a game and just playing a game) is an efficient and viable alternative to teach science in Brazilian public school

Pistas orgânicas: uma atividade lúdica para o ensino das funções orgânicas

Educational games can work as a complementary tool in teaching and learning chemistry, playing an important role in the development of the students cognitive structures, familiarizing them with certain conceptual content, which may arouse interest in the study of such content. In this work, we made an analysis of organic chemistry textbooks recommended by Programa Nacional do Livro Didático 2012, for high school students in order to verify the existence of methodological proposals using educational games. From this analysis, we proposed an educational game to be developed for students on 3º year of high medium and undergraduate chemistry, that are in 1º semester of the course, which is constituted of a tray and 48 letters, which work various concepts concerning organic functions, such as: structural characteristics, physical properties, chemical and properties diverse of the compounds used for the confection of the letters. The game was applied to a class degree in chemistry, period 2012.1 to a Federal Education of Rio Grande do Norte and a group of students of the 3rd year of the state schools of Rio Grande do Norte, in the period the months of April and May 2012. The analysis of the performance of the game proposed was made using visual observations, photographic records and testimonials of students who participated in the games. The instrument used for the data collection was the student questionnaire, which was similar for both groups, differing only in the amount of questions, because one of them had one more question. During application of the game it was observed that it constitutes a dynamic strategy in the teaching and learning of chemistry concepts, given that students actively participated in the classes as well, demonstrated more motivation in the construction of concepts, furthermore, it was possible to observe evidence of other possibilities of the game. This could be verified through visual observations and testimonials at the end of each game, by reading the answers to the questionnaires

Aprendizagem da língua japonesa apoiada por ferramentas computacionais: estudo e desenvolvimento do jogo Karuchā Ships Invaders

The use of technology tools for teaching and learning has grown increasingly in our daily life. In this context, a branch that has had tremendous growth is the area of teaching and learning language through computational tools. The study of CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), accomplished in this research, aims to evaluate existing tools in this context, focused specifically on the Japanese language; and from this study, accomplish the development of a new computational tool that can assist teaching/learning of the Japanese language. As results, we present a wide survey on the subject in various technologies/devices, as well as the complete development process of a new tool, the Karuchā Ships Invaders game, that proposes to teach basic concepts of the language, blended with entertainment, and still, focusing on the Brazilian students of Japanese language audience. We will present all the concept phases of the game and its evolution through the research, as well as an interface evaluation. Still, we present proposal and validation of a method to evaluate motivational aspects of computational tools with educational focus, and results extracted from an experiment accomplished with prospective users