Designing Physics Game to Support Inquiry Learning and to Promote Retrieval Practice

Danu Pranantha, Wei Chen, Francesco Bellotti, Erik Van Der Spek, Alessandro DeGloria, Matthias Rauterberg

2014

Abstract

Instruction in physics aims at achieving two goals: the acquisition of body of knowledge and problem solving skills in physics. This requires students to connect physical phenomena, physics principles, and physics symbols. Computer simulation provides students with graphical model that unites phenomenon and principles in physics. However, such minimally guided approach may harm learning since it overburdens the working memory. Also, simulation is inadequate in promoting problem solving skills since students need to exercise with a variety of physics problems. Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), in contrast, train students in solving physics problems. In this paper, we designed an online puzzle game in physics that combines simulation and pseudo tutor (namely QTut). We addressed three challenges: extensibility, scalability, and reusability in designing our game. We conducted usability tests with 10 participants on the game prototype to study the user performances and perceptions for improvement. The results indicate the game as educative and moderately entertaining. The use of scaffolding in the game positively contributed to the game learning experience. Moreover, the game GUI expressed information well that made the game understandable, even with little instructions.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Pranantha D., Chen W., Bellotti F., Van Der Spek E., DeGloria A. and Rauterberg M. (2014). Designing Physics Game to Support Inquiry Learning and to Promote Retrieval Practice . In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-758-020-8, pages 330-337. DOI: 10.5220/0004849103300337

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu14,
author={Danu Pranantha and Wei Chen and Francesco Bellotti and Erik Van Der Spek and Alessandro DeGloria and Matthias Rauterberg},
title={Designing Physics Game to Support Inquiry Learning and to Promote Retrieval Practice},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,},
year={2014},
pages={330-337},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0004849103300337},
isbn={978-989-758-020-8},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,
TI - Designing Physics Game to Support Inquiry Learning and to Promote Retrieval Practice
SN - 978-989-758-020-8
AU - Pranantha D.
AU - Chen W.
AU - Bellotti F.
AU - Van Der Spek E.
AU - DeGloria A.
AU - Rauterberg M.
PY - 2014
SP - 330
EP - 337
DO - 10.5220/0004849103300337