Showing papers by "Darryl Charles published in 2014"

An Investigation of Gamification Typologies for Enhancing Learner Motivation

Abstract: In this paper we present a new gamified learning system called Reflex which builds on our previous research, placing greater emphasis on variation in learner motivation and associated behaviour, having a particular focus on gamification typologies. Reflex comprises a browser based 3D virtual world that embeds both learning content and learner feedback. In this way the topography of the virtual world plays an important part in the presentation and access to learning material and learner feedback. Reflex presents information to learners based on their curriculum learning objectives and tracks their movement and interactions within the world. A core aspect of Reflex is its gamification design, with our engagement elements and processes based on Marczewski's eight gamification types [1]. We describe his model and its relationship to Bartle's player types [2] as well as the RAMP intrinsic motivation model [3]. We go on to present an analysis of experiments using Reflex with students on two 2nd year Computing modules. Our data mining and cluster analysis on the results of a gamification typology questionnaire expose variation in learner motivation. The results from a comprehensive tracking of the interactions of learners within Reflex are discussed and the acquired tracking data is discussed in context of gamification typologies and metacognitive tendencies of the learners. We discuss correlations in actual learner behaviour to that predicted by gamified learner profile. Our results illustrate the importance of taking variation in learner motivation into account when designing gamified learning systems.

A Participatory Design Framework for the Gamification of Rehabilitation Systems

Abstract: In recent years games and game technology have been used quite widely to investigate if they can help make rehabilitation more engaging for users. The underlying hypothesis is that the motivating qualities of games may be harnessed and embedded into a game-based rehabilitation system to improve the quality of user participation. We present here the PACT framework which has been created to guide the design of gamified rehabilitation systems; placing emphasis on people, aesthetics, context, and technology from the beginning of a design and development process. We discuss the evolution of PACT from our previous GAMER framework, which was used to develop a range of games for upper arm stroke rehabilitation with natural user interfaces. GAMER was established to guide the design of rehabilitation games from the viewpoint of a designer, whereas with PACT greater emphasis has been placed on an inclusive design process. We provide a detailed work flow illustration for the use of PACT in the development of rehabilitation systems and provide examples of practical design and analysis tools that improve the quality of workflow in PACT.

Close range depth sensing cameras for virtual reality based hand rehabilitation

Abstract: Purpose – The Leap Motion represents a new generation of depth sensing cameras designed for close range tracking of hands and fingers, operating with minimal latency and high spatial precision (0.01 mm). The purpose of this paper is to develop virtual reality (VR) simulations of three well-known hand-based rehabilitation tasks using a commercial game engine and utilising a Leap camera as the primary mode of interaction. The authors present results from an initial evaluation by professional clinicians of these VR simulations for use in their hand and finger physical therapy practice. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-disciplinary team of researchers collaborated with a local software company to create three dimension interactive simulations of three hand focused rehabilitation tasks: Cotton Balls, Stacking Blocks, and the Nine Hole Peg Test. These simulations were presented to a group of eight physiotherapists and occupational therapists (n=8) based in the Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit, Belfast H...