Labster Presentation

1. 301280 HCDRM Assessment 3 -
Transformation - Learning And Working
Through Play
By Landon Tran (20386085)

2. Introduction
The topic “Transformation -
Learning And Working Through
Play” consisted of analysing and
evaluating two packages of
Labster and lastly one chosen
game of your choice.

3. Usability testing to identify problems -
Problem Statement
● How does labster affect users learning
experience and how can the changes made be
used to increase the experience of users on
labster

4. Approach
● The given task required us interact with the labster simulations 1 & 2 where labster simulation 1 was played with
perspective of an user and labster 2 simulation was played in the perspective of a designer with experience previous
simulation. While playing the labster simulations, the use of a facecam was encouraged to convey expressions and
emotions as you progressed through the game.
● And with the chosen game of choice, i chose to play & record a game of Dota 2. The whole recording was too long so
i could only include a portion of the footage.

5. What is Labster?
Labster is an educational tool which allows students and teachers to interact with virtual labs that simulate specific environments. The
benefits of using labster is that it does not require equipment that costs thousands to ten of thousands to be present as the virtual
labs are already equipped with the equipment needed to undertake an experiment. The simulation within labster provides users with
a “Labpad” which;
● shows the users overall score in the top left with increase in score after the user has answered the question correctly
● current progress in the right increases with every step completed
● 4 tabs (Home, Theory, Media and Mission) provide relevant information within each tab for users to complete the simulation

6. Labster 1 - Spatial Ecology
The labster simulation (Spatial Ecology)
involved the exploration of Astakov IV, an
exoplanet planet in which the users task
was to analyse and evaluate the
abundance of complex life forms found in
its environment. The main task of the
simulation required users to evaluate the
land and selected an appropriate location
to build a marine research center to
examine new species and organisms

7. Labster 2 : Biodiversity
The labster simulation ( Biodiversity - assess and
compare biodiversity on an exoplanet) involved the
assessment of analysis on the biodiversity
referring to the abundance of organisms and
species of a certain environment. The
simulation involves users in the operation of
specific equipment used in the captivity and
analysis of lifeforms captured

8. Dota 2
Dota 2 is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)
game which is played casually and competitively.
The game consists of two teams, The Dire &
Radiant of 5 work together to destroy a large
structure defended by the opposing team known
as the "Ancient", whilst defending their own.

9. Labster Comparisons
● Labster simulation 1 (Spatial Ecology) was the easier one of the 2 simulations as it look less time to complete and
involved less theory information that needed to be read and understood in order to complete the questions
● On the other hand, labster 2 simulation was significantly harder as it required users to actually read the theory
given and it involved much more information in order to answer the question
● The first experience of my simulation was very exciting and engaging as it was very new to me whereas the second
time into the simulation, it got very boring while playing the game as it was very tedious.
● As for the quiz that labster simulation provide, it is very easy for users to just skim over all the theory information
relevant to the question and thus the users get the answer wrong leaving a mark in the overall score. This applied to
me where i thought i could just answer without any knowledge therefore leading to me guessing and getting the
wrong answer. This aspect is very prone in all students that just want to get the simulation over and done with as
they don't read the theory and it will show in there final score.
● The labster simulations are narrated by an AI called Dr.One which is a eyeball looking mechanical bot. The voice of
Dr.One is narrated by a female with very monotone narration which is not very pleasant to hear for 15 mins
continuously.

10. Comparison of Dota 2 & Labster Simulations
● These two games are significantly different in all aspects.
● Dota 2 is a much more complex game which involves many simple and complex mechanics which users are required to
implement into their gameplay whereas labster is very straightforward and doesn’t require any improvement in the operation
of its mechanics.
● Similar comparisons include introductory information and tool tips provided by labster in the form of Dr. One and in Dota
where they have implemented a starter gamemode where the user can vs AI, thus helping the user to get familiar with the
game map and overall mechanics. Dota 2 also provides checkbox type scenarios which can be played to help the user with one
specific aspect of the game (e.g. Scenario 1: Buying Items, Scenario 2: Movement and Skills)
● The games goal requires users to destroy the enemy teams “ancient” in order to win whereas labsters goal is to complete the
simulation and evaluate the users score based on the question answered
● The game provides multiple game modes which users can play and diversify themselves with the game modes whereas labster
is very similar in that aspect as it allows for users to experience a myriad of simulations

11. Problem Statement and Solutions
With my problem statement, the solutions that i have come up with involve the following;
More user freedom
● The increase in user freedom allows for the player to roam and explore the environment which labster
doesn’t have. With this, users are able to go where they want to and be able to explore and observe their
surroundings with better view than just being able to move to certain points allowed in the environment. The
users may be able to continue the simulation at any given time of they are wanting to explore the
environment instead
Narration adjustment
● As stated in the comparisons of labsters slide, the narrating voice of Dr.One can be very unpleasant
and non-engaging for users to listen to continuously for a long period of time. The change of voice to
a human voice-over of Dr.One will be much more pleasant and engaging for users to listen to while
playing the simulation

12. Conclusion
In conclusion, Labster provides innovative education and the requirements of the simulations are very
little, all that's needed is a decent operational laptop/computer and anyone will be able to use labster
simulations. The overall simulations are very educational and interactive but that in itself is not enough
to keep students attention and engagement towards the simulation. To combat these flaws, changes to
the simulation have been made in order to increase the interactivity of the simulation to create an
engaging environment where users are able to enjoy the education provided