Development of Educational Videogames in m-Learning Contexts

• Published in: 2008 Second IEEE International Conference on Digital Game and Intelligent Toy Enhanced Learning pp. 44 - 51
• Main Authors: Lavin-Mera, P., Moreno-Ger, P., Fernandez-Manjon, B.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-11-2008
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Costs; e-adventure; game-based learning; Games; Global Positioning System; Handheld computers; Internet; m-learning; Mobile computing; Personal digital assistants; Portable computers; Wireless application protocol
• ISBN: 0769534090; 9780769534091
• DOI: 10.1109/DIGITEL.2008.21

The educational gaming field is rapidly growing both in acceptance and variety. Within this variety, the technological evolution of wireless/handheld (W/H) computing devices is opening new possibilities in the so called mobile learning (m-learning). M-learning opens new learning opportunities, but due to the special characteristics of these devices (such as their reduced computing power or the size of the display), some design considerations must be taken into account when creating the games. This project explores both the potential advantages obtained through the m-learning educational videogames and the technological challenges that must be faced in the process. In order to illustrate the challenges, we analyze the process of adapting an existing game-based learning platform (e-Adventure) for its use in a mobile environment and discuss how the adapted platform makes it easier to develop m-learning educational videogames.