Moving learning into a smart urban park: students' perceptions of the Augmented Reality EduPARK mobile game

Abstract

The EduPARK game is developed under a game-based learning methodology. It is designed for outdoor learning settings by employing geocaching principles and mobile Augmented Reality technologies. The game aims to develop users’ authentic and autonomous learning about diverse interdisciplinary themes in a smart urban park. It integrates learning guides for different target groups of basic education. The purpose of this paper is to present the game prototype development, and its first cycle of refinement, as the study followed a design-based research approach. The game evaluation involved 74 students from two school levels (aged 9-10 and 13-14). They explored and evaluated the game. Participant observation and focus groups were conducted. The evaluation allowed identifying positive characteristics of the game, such as immediate feedback and collaborative dynamics. Some questions included in the learning guides were perceived as difficult to understand and also some features came out to be considered for future improvements.