The Design of Context-Specific
Educational Mobile Games
Jolien Schroyen & Kris Gabriëls
April 17, M&W 2009

Research projects : overview
- EFRD projects:
- ARCHIE (May 2005 – August 2008)
- RITCHIE (September 2008 – August 2010)
- partners :
- Expertise Centre for Digital Media (Hasselt
University)
- Gallo-Roman Museum (Province of Limburg)

Research projects : overview
- ARCHIE: enhance vistor experience through
mobile ICT
- RITCHIE: expertise centre and demolab
iDiscover for (mobile) ICT in culture and heritage
- interdisciplinary team
-increased attention for communication and
dissemination of know-how

Museums and ICT : basic principles
- ICT in the service of the visitor experience
- Focus on:
- site/environment
- visitors: target groups
- content/messages/collection
- interplay between these elements

Museums and ICT : basic principles
A mobile guide which …
- stimulates interaction between people
- encourages interaction with the museum
- tailors the presentation to the visitors’ needs

Museums and ICT : basic principles
A mobile guide which …
- stimulates interaction between people
- encourages interaction with the museum
- tailors the presentation to the visitors’ needs

Museums and ICT : basic principles
A mobile guide which …
- stimulates interaction between people
- encourages interaction with the museum
- tailors the presentation to the visitors’ needs

Museums and ICT : 4 dimensions
- overall framework to situate mobile ICT
applications with respect to 4 dimensions

Museums and ICT : 4 dimensions
- overall framework to situate mobile ICT
applications with respect to 4 dimensions

Museums and ICT : 4 dimensions
- overall framework to situate mobile ICT
applications with respect to 4 dimensions

Museums and ICT : 4 dimensions
Personalization
http://vimeo.com/4059566

Museums and ICT : 4 dimensions
Social Interaction
http://vimeo.com/4059579

Museums and ICT : 4 dimensions
Interaction with the
environment
http://vimeo.com/4059557

Animation with the support of …
de Koning
Boudewijnstichting

Software Framework

Personalization
• presentation
• content adaptation

Localization
• Localization technologies
– GPS, WiFi, Infrared, RFID, …
• Granularity

Communication
Groups of interconnected mobile guides
• Voice-over-IP
• Game related data
synchronisation!

User Centered Design
Take into account
• specific site and content
• user target group
Museum game for youngsters
Involve the users in the different stages of the
design process.

User Centered Design
Target group survey of children aged 12 – 14
years old
– Strong need for do (hands-on) activities
– Strongly experience-driven learning style
– Museum as amusement park
– Interests: multimedia, games
– Like to ‘explore’
– Group together / competition

User Centered Design
Demo- and testlab

Workshop
• Activity
– define your target group
– translate a museum story into a game concept
– situate concept with respect to 4 dimensions
• Timing:
– 15 minutes brainstorm in groups
– 10 minutes feedback

Our approach : the ARCHIE case
- Create game concepts that act as good learning
environments

Our approach : the ARCHIE case
- Create game concepts that act as good learning
environments

Our approach : the ARCHIE case
- Enhance the commitment of the players :
identification via personalized avatars

Our approach : the ARCHIE case
- Value the graphical design : tailor design to
target group and museum story (content)

Our approach : the ARCHIE case
- Design for social interaction

contact
-Hasselt University - EDM : Jolien Schroyen
jolien.schroyen@uhasselt.be
Kris Gabriëls
kris.gabriels@uhasselt.be