Mobile learning with a mobile game

1. Mobile learning with a mobile game Design and motivational effects

2. Outline • Introduction • Literature review • The mobile learning scenario and system • Research design and frame work • Results • Technical design issues for the MobileGame prototype • Discussion of the effects • Conclusions and outlook

3. Abstract • Mobile technologies offer the opportunity to embed learning in a natural environment • This paper describes the design of the MobileGame prototype, exploring the opportunities to support learning through an orientation game in a university setting

4. Introduction • apply mobile technology to learning • Mobilearn project • two objectives in this paper • to discuss design issues of a mobile game system with a focus on issues specific for mobile learning and the motivational value added by mobile games • to present data on the effects of a mobile game on participant motivation and on the features causing those effects

5. Literature review • Lepper and Malone • relationship between learning and intrinsic motivation • seven key factors for creating an intrinsically motivating instructional environment：challenge, curiosity, control, fantasy, cooperation, competition, and recognition • computer games raise the efficiency of learning if they increase the intrinsic motivation and link the goals “winning the game” and “learning the material” • mathematical problem solving is embedded in an artificial game context

6. Literature review • Prensky → how do computer games engage players？create a fun and engaging game • rules, that organize the game • goals and objectives, the players strive to achieve • outcome and feedback, which measure the progress against the goals • conflict, competition, challenge, and opposition, leading to players’ excitement • interaction, the social aspect in the game • representation or story, exaggerating interesting aspects of reality

7. Literature review • Mitchell and Savill-Smith • it should be possible to use these elements to carefully design and analyze mobile games, but so far this has not been done yet • mobile systems • integrate playing and learning, focus on role-play or simulation：Cooties Game、Geney、Savannah • entertainment, location-based games in a real life environment：CYSMN、Pirates、Mogi • develop the location-based learning game MobileGame in 2002

8. Mobile learning scenario • synchronous collaboration • orientation rally • students play individually or in small groups • each group gets different tasks referring to significant places, people and events • handheld device shows the current position of the group on the digital map • indoor map and outdoor map switch • cooperative and competitive game • at each location, they have to perform a typical task

9. Mobile game system • All relevant data are stored on the client side • Three components • mobile client • web client • server • Media and tools • Wireless LAN • HTTP • Ekahau positioning engine

10. Research design and framework • Taylor’s recommendation：first test the usability of the technology, then the pedagogy • future development and evaluation process： • focus on the motivational aspects of the game and its relationship to the usability of the system • include the content and systematically test the effects on learning

11. Research design and framework • method of evaluation of the first trial • University of Koblenz in October 2003 • 7 computer science faculty • find hidden PDA with the help of the game • questionnaire • method of evaluation of the second trial • Koblenz Campus of the University of Koblenz-Landau in Germany • covered two office buildings • participants • procedure

12. Discussion framework • rules：scenario • goal：solve the tasks, ultimately learn • feedback, outcome：real time technique five current status • conflicts and competition：gain points • interaction：play in group, chat function • representation：orientation on the digital map, augmentation of reality

13. Results of the first trial • focus on the technology of the first prototype • rate 7 technical issues • screen size and accuracy of the position scored least • they would have liked to have a zoom; auto-scroll and improve the update time of the client

14. Results of the second trial • 17/22 liked it and would play it again • the map should be simplified • some more intelligence in the task ordering would be desirable • catching function varied because of difficulties with imprecise navigation and a somewhat confusing interface • chatwas rarely or not at all used • navigation as a major positive aspect

15. Technical design issues for the MobileGame prototype • accuracy of positioning • 3~5m • play on move • stop-and-go hinders the flow of the game • offline areas and response time • update every 3s, players could move five or more meters • interface design • drop-down menus to button bar • three kind of input method

16. Discussion of the effects • conflict, competition, challenge, opposition • balance the engagement for hunting with the engagement for working on task • make the competition for points more visible • make the catching itself a learning experience • turn off hunting for part of the game • in any case, hunting is a surprisingly useful feature to keep participants interested and moving

17. Discussion of the effects • outcome and feedback • learning diary • goals and objectives • primary goal：advance learning • secondary goal：gain as many points as possible • task design

18. Discussion of the effects • interaction • chat were rarely used, because typing on PDA is too difficult • non-verbal interaction • representation or story • a navigation system is a very powerful tool for situation learning in a natural environment • mixed reality • augmented physical environment v.s. augmented social environment

19. Conclusions and outlook • Mobile Technology enables immersion into a mixed reality environment and more motivating learning experience • Two limitations of current technology：the mobile user interface and the accuracy of positioning systems • future work： • the tasks and the accompanying content need carefully designed • moving the concept of the MobileGame and the prototype into new domain

20. Thanks for your listening Q & A