Logo PTI
Polish Information Processing Society
Logo FedCSIS

Annals of Computer Science and Information Systems, Volume 11

Proceedings of the 2017 Federated Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems

Creating an Interactive and Storytelling Educational Physics App

, , ,

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15439/2017F95

Citation: Proceedings of the 2017 Federated Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems, M. Ganzha, L. Maciaszek, M. Paprzycki (eds). ACSIS, Vol. 11, pages 1269–1273 ()

Full text

Abstract. Ubiquitous mobile technology makes m-learning an increasingly popular method of education. The technique of distance learning using mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones to present educational content, can constitute an effective tool to support the learning process. Our goal was to combine education with entertainment (edutainment) for teaching physics using mobile devices. A sample of 11 students participated in this study, namely college seniors, IT (information technology) students from Poland. Since we performed user experience studies, this sample is sufficient. A game for mobile devices was designed. This game is an interactive and storytelling educational physics app based on user experience and edutainment guidelines. We analysed the market for mobile devices, educational physics mobile applications in the world and in Poland, and we conclude that mobile apps can be broadly used as the technology is available for most of the students, and there are very few apps available. Moreover, none of them offers education in the form of entertainment. After preparing the app, we performed usability tests. These tests showed that most of the students consider the game useful. They also suggested improvements which can increase the playability of the game. Despite the large interest in educational games, the existing apps lack interactivity and visualization of abstract concepts. Learning through play can be broadly applied to teach physics, educational apps can be created, and used by students as a supplement of the science and technological education.

References

  1. L. Low, “M-learning standards review report”, Australian Gov., 2007
  2. M. Ally, M., A. Tsinakos, (Eds.). “Increasing Access through Mobile Learning”. Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, 2014
  3. L. Stanislaus, J. Joseph (Eds.). Communication as Mission. Ishvani Kendra, 2007
  4. T. Heick, “9 Characteristics of 21st Century Learning”. TeachThought, 2012
  5. K. Ayad, D. Rigas, “Learning with edutainment: A multi-platform approach”, 11th MMACTEE, pp. 220–225, 2009
  6. W.J. Brown, A. Singhal, “Entertainment-Education Media Strategies for Social Change: Promises and Problems”. In: D. Demen II, K. Villnnmath (Eds.): Mass Media. Social Control and Social Change: A macrosocial perspective. Iowa State University Press, 1999
  7. International Data Corporation, https://www.idc.com/, 2017
  8. Internet Live Stats, http://www.internetlivestats.com/, 2017
  9. K. Szklanny, M. Wichrowski, A. Wieczorkowska, „Educational App for Android Mobile Devices”, Proc. AMCSE 2015, pp. 184-188
  10. Statista, The statistics portal https://www.statista.com/, 2017
  11. Ericsson, https://www.ericsson.com/, 2017
  12. J. Titcomb, “Mobile web usage overtakes desktop for first time”, The Telegraph, 1 November 2016
  13. Impact, https://www.impactbnd.com/, 2017
  14. Bennett Coleman & Co., Gadgets Now, www.gadgetsnow.com/, 2017
  15. CISCO., Gen y: New dawn for work, play, identity, http://www.cisco.com/, 2015
  16. T. T. Ahonen, “Updating Progress on the ’Recreate iPhone of 2010 for $10 by 2020’ Projection”, Communities Dominate Brands, 2015
  17. J. Brown, “Future mobile learning”, http://www.slideshare.net/, 2011
  18. Noteslate, http://www.noteslate.com/, 2016
  19. LG Electronics. http://www.lg.com/us/lg-g-flex-phones, 2017
  20. C. Carter, “New mobiles that change shape are 'only a matter of time'. The Telegraph, 29 April 2013
  21. Gartner, http://www.gartner.com/, 2017
  22. TNS, http://www.tnsglobal.com/, 2014
  23. Gemius, http://www.gemius.pl/, 2015
  24. TestMy Net, http://testmy.net/country/pl, 2017
  25. EducationalAppStore, http://www.educationalappstore.com, 2017
  26. K. Szklanny, M. Wichrowski, Prototyping M-Learning Course on the Basis of Puzzle Learning Methodology Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2014, LNCS 8524, 215-226, 2014
  27. Y. Hadzigeorgiou, “Humanizing the teaching of physics through storytelling: the case of current electricity”. Phys. Educ. 41(1), 42, 2006
  28. P. Kokkotas, A. Rizaki, K. Malamitsa, „Storytelling as a Strategy for Understanding Concepts of Electricity and Electromagnetism”. Interchange 41(4), 379-405, 2010
  29. Unity, https://unity3d.com/, 2017
  30. Epic Games, What is Unreal Engine, www.unreal.com, 2017
  31. AUTODESK, 3ds Max. https://www.autodesk.com/, 2017
  32. Adobe, http://www.adobe.com/, 2017
  33. Quixel, http://quixel.se/, 2017
  34. IVONA, https://www.ivona.com/, 2017
  35. J. Nielsen, “Why You Only Need to Test with 5 Users”. Nielsen Norman Group, 2000