Mobile game-based learning with local content and appealing characters

In tapping the thriving mobile business, a study on mobile content development, specifically local ones is urgently required. Highly wanted local contents development is indeed for education, entertainment and games. Thus, we develop a mobile game-based learning (mGBL) about local content, called MaCMoG. It was technically tested for its functionality, compliance, compatibility and soaking. Furthermore, to assess the insights of potential players, informal interviews and observations were conducted. In addition to that, the local game characters and the game plan developed for the mGame were tested for their appealing merit. Overall, responses were remarkably consistent. Participants overwhelmingly considered MaCMoG as interesting and really attractive, successful in delivering the intended learning content, easy to play and simple to use. Findings also stressed two important points (1) local, appealing and well-developed characters are important elements to ensure better learning experience and (2) local uniqueness must always be incorporated to ensure better learning motivation and increase mGBL acceptance.

[1]  Carmelo Ardito,et al.  Mobile games to foster the learning of history at archaeological sites , 2007, IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing (VL/HCC 2007).

[2]  John W. Buchanan,et al.  Game sketching , 2007, DIMEA.

[3]  Jeannie Novak,et al.  Game Development Essentials: An Introduction , 2004 .

[4]  Jaime Sánchez,et al.  Mobile Game-Based Methodology for Science Learning , 2007, HCI.

[5]  Carlo Fabricatore,et al.  Learning and Videogames: an Unexploited Synergy , 2000 .

[6]  Amira Sariyati Firdaus IMPORTANCE OF CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE DIGITAL CONTENT INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA , 2007 .

[7]  Paolo Paolini,et al.  3D worlds for edutainment: educational, relational and organizational principles , 2005, Third IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications Workshops.

[8]  Anthony Ward Game character development with Maya , 2004 .

[9]  Antony Ward Game Character Development with Maya (New Riders Games) , 2004 .

[10]  M. F.,et al.  Bibliography , 1985, Experimental Gerontology.

[11]  Gerhard Schwabe,et al.  Mobile learning with a mobile game: design and motivational effects , 2005, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[12]  Dong Han,et al.  Mobile Game Development: Object-Orientation or Not , 2007, 31st Annual International Computer Software and Applications Conference (COMPSAC 2007).

[13]  R. Seagram,et al.  Educational game models: conceptualization and evaluation , 2004 .

[14]  Elina M. I. Koivisto,et al.  Playability heuristics for mobile multi-player games , 2007, DIMEA.

[15]  Heather Desurvire,et al.  Using heuristics to evaluate the playability of games , 2004, CHI EA '04.

[16]  Duncan Rowland,et al.  Interweaving mobile games with everyday life , 2006, CHI.

[17]  Peter Lonsdale,et al.  Mobile technologies and learning , 2004 .

[18]  Kinshuk,et al.  Mobile Technology in Educational Services , 2005 .

[19]  Nipan Maniar,et al.  Designing a mobile game to reduce culture shock , 2007, ACE '07.

[20]  Elaine M. Raybourn,et al.  Social learning through gaming , 2004, CHI EA '04.

[21]  Wayne Ransley An instrument for measuring five aspects of children's attitudes towards microcomputers , 1991, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[22]  Alessandro De Gloria,et al.  VeGame: Exploring Art and History in Venice , 2003, Computer.

[23]  Matthew Kam,et al.  Localized iterative design for language learning in underdeveloped regions: the PACE framework , 2007, CHI.