Abstract
Modern society’s challenges in science and technology underscore the importance of science education. Effective science education, however, often necessitates outdoor learning and observation, addressing the limitations of traditional classrooms. These limitations, such as a lack of diverse teaching methods, lead to fewer opportunities for hands-on activities, diminishing student interest in learning. To address this, scholars integrate games and outdoor teaching methods, including location-based games that adapt to players’ geographical locations, fostering a connection between the virtual and physical worlds. Playability and player experience, linked to intrinsic motivation, are critical in game-based learning. This study investigates whether incorporating location-based elements into educational games with high playability results in positive player experiences. Focused on plant ecology education, the research develops location-based and non-location-based game versions for experimentation. The quasi-experimental approach involves participants playing both versions and completing a player experience questionnaire. Statistical analysis reveals the location-based game provides a superior player experience, boosting satisfaction and confidence. These findings offer valuable insights for developers of future educational location-based games.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atmaja, P.W.: The relationships between aspects of playability and learning content in educational games. In: 2021 IEEE 7th Information Technology International Seminar (ITIS), pp. 1–6 (2021)
Avouris, N.M., Yiannoutsou, N.: A review of mobile location-based games for learning across physical and virtual spaces. J. Univers. Comput. Sci. 18(15), 2120–2142 (2012)
Brown, E.: Introduction to location-based mobile learning. In: Education in the Wild: Contextual and Location-Based Mobile Learning in Action: A Report from the STELLAR Alpine Rendez-Vous Workshop Series, E. Brown (Ed.). University of Nottingham, UK, pp. 7–9 (2010)
Chang, T.J.: The educational significance of game aesthetics in the digital era. Research in Arts Education, 5 (2004)
Clanton, C.: An interpreted demonstration of computer game design. In: CHI 98 conference summary on Human factors in computing systems, pp. 1–2 (1998)
Ebling, M.R., Cáceres, R.: Gaming and augmented reality come to location-based services. IEEE Pervasive Comput. 9(01), 5–6 (2010)
Gerling, K.M., Klauser, M., Niesenhaus, J.: Measuring the impact of game controllers on player experience in FPS games. In: Proceedings of the 15th International Academic MindTrek Conference: Envisioning Future Media Environments, pp. 83–86 (2011)
Hwang, G.H., Lee, L.M., Wang, H.Y., Hong, P.J., Wu, J.R., Lai, X.L.: Development and effectiveness analysis of ubiquitous learning systems - a case study for elementary school children to recognize campus plants. Int. J. Digital Learn. Technol. 2(3), 19–41 (2010)
IJsselsteijn, W.A., de Kort, Y.A.W., Poels, K.: The Game Experience Questionnaire. Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (2013)
Järvinen, A., Heliö, S., Mäyrä, F.: Communication and community in digital entertainment services. Prestudy Research Report (2002)
Killi, K.: Digital game-based learning- Towards an experiential gaming model. Internet High. Educ. 8, 13–24 (2005)
Korhonen, H., Koivisto, E.M.: Playability heuristics for mobile games. In: Proceedings of the 8th Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services, pp. 9–16 (2006)
Lehmann, L.A.: Location-Based Mobile Games. GRIN Verlag, Munich, Germany (2012)
Li, X., Zhang, Z., Stefanidis, K.: A data-driven approach for video game playability analysis based on players’ reviews. Information 12(3), 129 (2021)
Lin, K.Y.: Reflection on the current situation of STEM education in Taiwan. J. Youth Stud. 21(1), 41 (2018)
Nacke, L., Drachen, A.: Towards a framework of player experience research. In: Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Evaluating Player Experience in Games at FDG, vol. 11 (2011)
Paavilainen, J.: Defining playability of games: functionality, usability, and gameplay. In: Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Academic Mindtrek, pp. 55–64 (2020)
Paraskeva, F., Mysirlaki, S., Papagianni, A.: Multiplayer online games as educational tools- facing new challenges in learning. Comput. Educ. 54(2), 498–505 (2010)
Petri, G., von Wangenheim, C.G., Borgatto, A.F.: MEEGA+: an evolution of a model for the evaluation of educational games. INCoD/GQS 3, 1–40 (2016)
Prensky, M.: Digital game-based learning. Comput. Entertainment (CIE) 1(1), 21 (2003)
Priyaadharshini, M., Dakshina, R., Sandhya, S.: Learning analytics: game-based learning for programming course in higher education. Procedia Comput. Sci. 172, 468–472 (2020)
Sánchez, J.L.G., Vela, F.L.G.: Assessing the player interaction experiences based on playability. Entertainment Comput. 5(4), 259–267 (2014)
Savi, R., von Wangenheim, C.G., Borgatto, A.F.: A model for the evaluation of educational games for teaching software engineering. In: 2011 25th Brazilian Symposium on Software Engineering, pp. 194–203 (2011)
Tsai, W.D., Wang, C.Y.: Pokémon go player’s experiences as an entrepreneuring process: a hermeneutic phenomenology approach. Sun Yat-Sen Manag. Rev. 26(1), 85–111 (2018)
Zhang, Y.K.: Integrating action learning into the teaching evaluation of natural science in elementary schools - taking the moon phase observation unit as an example. Unpublished master’s thesis in Xingwu University of Science and Technology Information Technology Application Research Institute (2015)
Acknowledgments
The funding for this research was provided through a grant from the National Science Council of Taiwan, with the project number NSTC 112–2221-E-218–018 -. The plant illustration materials utilized in this study were graciously provided with permission by the ‘Tainan Park & Plants’ design team of STUST. We express our gratitude to the 30 subjects for their voluntary assistance, crucial for data collection in this research. Special thanks to Teacher Chen Tzuyin from Taoyuan Municipal Wu-Ling Senior High School in Taiwan for her valuable support in developing the educational content for the game.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Chen, ZR., Lam, CC. (2024). Exploring Player Experience in Mobile Learning Through Location-Based Games. In: Wei, J., Margetis, G. (eds) Human-Centered Design, Operation and Evaluation of Mobile Communications. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14737. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60458-4_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60458-4_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-60457-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-60458-4
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)