Integration of digital games and remote laboratories with real-time visualization: Conception, Implementation and Evaluation

Abstract

Digital games and remote laboratories are currently technologies to support learning. Different strategies to integrate them have been proposed to improve students’ experience and learning during class activities. In this work, we designed, implemented, and evaluated a digital game that provides real-time visualization and manipulation of a remote experiment. The game so-called Fotovolt was applied to teenagers during a class activity about the photovoltaic effect. Facilitated use of the remote experiment, motivation to learn, collaborative work, and concepts recalling were the observed benefits of the proposed integration. However, to obtain effective integrated games with real-time visualization of remote experiments, planned and exclusive access to the remote experiments should be considered. The results show that the students approved the game usability, as well as had their perception of learning increased.

Keywords

• Remote experiment
• digital-game based learning
• validation
• photovoltaic effect