Learning in role playing: An ethnographic study on chinese children towards a novel educational game model
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi
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P1 OPINNÄYTTEET D 2016 Liu
Authors
Date
2016
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Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
106 + 4
Series
Abstract
Learning is not a pleasant journey for children in most cases. In China, especially, preschool-aged children are often forced to absorb knowledge in various subjects due to the country’s rote-learning tradition and highly competitive education system. Although such compulsory learning is seemingly effective at the early stage, its long-term feasibility needs to be reconsidered concerning the side effects. Interest in learning, for one thing, could be severely impaired by the constrained learning experience. Self-confidence, for another, could be diminished as the further aftermath of lost of interest. In the thesis, a novel educational game model inspired by the relevant ethnographic study on Chinese children will be introduced. The model is particularly designed for creating engaging game-based learning experiences. Through a four-week-long ethnographic fieldwork in kindergartens and children’s homes in China, the affinity between children’s cognitive world and fantasy play has been found. More specifically, role playing as a subcategory of fantasy play demonstrates its strong potentials in bridging the serious educational purpose and captivating gaming experience. Inspired by the ethnographic findings and insights, a role-playing based educational game model is established. The game model promises the possibilities for future educational games being more appealing to the preschool-aged children. Also, as the starting point of the thesis project, an educational game which intends to facilitate children in learning Chinese will be presented for showcasing the implications of the game model.Description
Supervisor
Whalen, JackThesis advisor
Whalen, JackKeywords
ethnography, child-computer interaction (CCI), participatory design, game design, flow theory