A carregar...
Publicação
Eco detectives: fostering environmental awareness in youth through augmented reality and non-linear narratives
| Nome: | Descrição: | Tamanho: | Formato: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.68 MB | Adobe PDF |
Autores
Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Com o passar do tempo, cada vez mais fauna e flora têm atingido o estado de espécies ameaçadas,
em parte devido à ação humana direta e indireta. Esta ameaça é algo que grandes grupos como
a UNESCO têm procurado combater através da integração da educação ambiental em todos os
países. É importante salientar que a transmissão de conhecimento sobre este tema às crianças é
uma forma de estabelecer comportamentos que podem amadurecer e persistir mais tarde nas suas
vidas. A maior parte da informação partilhada sobre este assunto é demasiado científica e técnica
para as crianças compreenderem o que pode levar ao tédio e à falta de interesse, mas é aqui que as
experiências interativas e educativas baseadas na natureza podem oferecer uma potencial solução.
Com o uso de Narrativas Interativas, podemos entreter os utilizadores enquanto estes se imergem
num mundo ficcional, ao mesmo tempo que recebem lições de vida que os beneficiarão, a eles e
ao ambiente que os rodeia. Para reforçar ainda mais as suas qualidades imersivas, combinámos
Narrativas Interativas com Realidade Aumentada (RA), devido à forma como esta pode simular e
sobrepor realidades imersivas no nosso próprio mundo.
Em colaboração com o Parque Ecológico do Funchal, criámos "Eco Detectives", uma aplicação
para smartphone, para explorar o potencial da combinação de RA, Narrativas Interativas não
lineares e tecnologias baseadas em localização. Esta experiência imersiva baseada na natureza leva
crianças (dos 9 aos 13 anos) numa aventura para resolver um mistério de assassinato e roubo
enquanto interagem com espécies de um ecossistema biodiverso, ensinando-as sobre as ameaças à
flora e fauna locais.
Os testes com utilizadores revelaram que os minijogos em RA e a narrativa não linear foram
altamente envolventes para os participantes. No entanto, as funcionalidades de RA mantêm um
equilíbrio delicado com o conteúdo educativo e narrativo, com risco de os participantes se focarem
excessivamente na exploração e em tarefas interativas quando não estão devidamente equilibradas.
Surgiram desafios, particularmente para os utilizadores mais jovens, destacando considerações im portantes para projetos futuros semelhantes.
As time passes, more and more fauna and flora have reached endangered status, in some part due to direct and indirect human action. This threat is something that major groups such as UNESCO have been trying to tackle through the integration of environmental education in all countries. It is important to emphasize that providing knowledge on this topic to children is a way to lay down behaviors that may mature and persist later in their lives. Most information that is shared about this subject is too scientific and technical for children to understand and might lead to boredom and disinterest, but this is where nature-based educational interactive experiences may offer a potential solution. With the use of Interactive Narratives, we can entertain users as they immerse themselves in a fictional world while also receiving life lessons that will benefit them and the surrounding environment. To further enhance its immersive strengths, we combined Interactive Narratives with Augmented Reality (AR) due to the way the latter can simulate and superimpose immersive realities into our own world. Working together with Parque Ecológico do Funchal, we created "Eco Detectives", a smart phone application, with the aim to explore the potential of the combination of AR, Interactive Narratives, and Location-Based technologies. This nature-based immersive experience takes chil dren (ages 9-13) on an adventure to solve a murder and thief mystery while interacting with species from a biodiverse ecosystem, teaching them about threats to local flora and fauna. User testing revealed that AR mini-games and the non-linear narrative were highly engaging for participants. However, AR features maintain a delicate balance with educational and narrative content, with risk of participants focusing excessively on exploration and interactive tasks when not properly balanced. Challenges emerged, particularly for younger users, highlighting important considerations for similar future projects.
As time passes, more and more fauna and flora have reached endangered status, in some part due to direct and indirect human action. This threat is something that major groups such as UNESCO have been trying to tackle through the integration of environmental education in all countries. It is important to emphasize that providing knowledge on this topic to children is a way to lay down behaviors that may mature and persist later in their lives. Most information that is shared about this subject is too scientific and technical for children to understand and might lead to boredom and disinterest, but this is where nature-based educational interactive experiences may offer a potential solution. With the use of Interactive Narratives, we can entertain users as they immerse themselves in a fictional world while also receiving life lessons that will benefit them and the surrounding environment. To further enhance its immersive strengths, we combined Interactive Narratives with Augmented Reality (AR) due to the way the latter can simulate and superimpose immersive realities into our own world. Working together with Parque Ecológico do Funchal, we created "Eco Detectives", a smart phone application, with the aim to explore the potential of the combination of AR, Interactive Narratives, and Location-Based technologies. This nature-based immersive experience takes chil dren (ages 9-13) on an adventure to solve a murder and thief mystery while interacting with species from a biodiverse ecosystem, teaching them about threats to local flora and fauna. User testing revealed that AR mini-games and the non-linear narrative were highly engaging for participants. However, AR features maintain a delicate balance with educational and narrative content, with risk of participants focusing excessively on exploration and interactive tasks when not properly balanced. Challenges emerged, particularly for younger users, highlighting important considerations for similar future projects.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Biodiversidade Realidade aumentada Experiência baseada em localização Narrativa interativa Aprendizagem Biodiversity Augmented reality Location-based experience Interactive storytelling Learning Interactive Media Design . Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia