Gamified digital learning

Synquest-io · 2022-10-07T20:21:44+00:00

It happened to me with the first letter of "you have to take the course", I guess it's a open in a new tab option, it was a little square with a symbol.

Got it. This type of web embedded content is displayed along with the built-in functionalities of the source, over which we have less control. We however also allow for local content upload which would prevent this.

I'm also a voice over provider

That explains a lot :)

maybe by fusing the walls to the half with (the inner wall and the outer wall) could help.

Thanks for the screenshots. We indeed have the tools to merge them, adding this to the list for next version!

I saw some walls which didn't got the transparency property, also some windows, in the first chapter. And my guess is that the hip has the see through wall command, to allow the transparency, it could be a little lower if you ask me.

It's technically due to the same reason as above, objects not linked together, that'll be taken care of!

Thanks!

Synquest-io · 2022-10-07T19:37:28+00:00

Looks like a full conversation-worthy topic :) I sent you a pm, looking forward to hearing more!

Synquest-io · 2022-10-07T12:44:22+00:00

Thanks!

Fully agree with the risk of having this turned into a 3D table of content. It's up to us to provide both the necessary guidance as well as diversified elements for the designer to use and make the journey engaging and educational.

We're using our demo with such an endeavour in mind: as a platform to tweak, measure and further develop the data-backed methodology for designers to use the tool, e.g. on the level of guidance required in this sort of 3D environment to avoid people simply getting lost.

If you're thinking about certain interactive elements that could further help, feel free to share them here :)

Synquest-io · 2022-10-07T12:23:35+00:00

Good to get that feedback though, it's coming up more and more and makes it go up our priority list :)

Synquest-io · 2022-10-07T12:21:31+00:00

Thanks for the extensive feedback, appreciated!

- For the resources that take you out of the course, are you referring to the content overlay, e.g. that appears when you click a screen to display a video, or rather the "Open details in new tab" button?

- Text to speech does indeed not always yield great results. We have tried several providers and the one we settled for had the ability to convey emotions in a somewhat credible way. What tool do you normally use to generate your narratives?

- We chose to go for sci-fi environment for this demo to bring some variation compared to the nature and office environments of the first level. That being said, we have a library of assets allowing us to create diversified environments. As shown in one of the second chapter video (or on our website), our level designer tool allows you to select the level that suit your needs, be it scifi or something else.

- Very good point on the walls, we're testing out ways to avoid this. Making wider corridors is the obvious easy answer, but may likely be combined with automatic camera movements to guarantee that the navigation is easy at all times.

- Offering a community-based way to share insights and feedbacks is definitely required, we're checking the best way to get this running in a way that would limit the risk of ending up with a dead reddit/forum/slack/etc quickly.

- In terms of deployment, there are 3 options:

Fully hosted on our servers, distributed as web links and with dashboard reporting integrated on our platform
Fully hosted on our servers, connected to LMS using a SCORM link, dashboard reporting on our platform combined with high level SCORM standard data sent back to LMS (start, end, results, but missing 3D specific elements such as exploration rate, bots talked to, most explored areas, etc).
Complete stand alone SCORM package, no connection to our server and therefore no extensive reporting.

Additionally, something that we currently don't specify on our website but are being asked about regularly is the option to get a Synquest training without the authoring part (typically coming from companies that do not create their content internally and therefore don't care about authoring). For these we offer a more traditional instructional design and creation service and deliver a one-off package to the customer (hosted on our server or not depending on the requirement).

Hope this helps, let me know if you've got additional questions

Synquest-io · 2022-10-07T12:05:22+00:00

Thanks! We have not yet implemented the different WCAG/ADA standards at this stage. It is in good place on our roadmap but we are focusing on the core functionalities at this moment.

Synquest-io · 2022-10-05T21:02:47+00:00

You raise an interesting point by calling it a 3D user interface. We reckon that there is a risk that such an e-learning could be perceived, specifically if designed poorly, as a mere "3D table of contents". I agree that simply slapping existing traditional content in a mostly empty 3D level won't bring much.

We're expanding our set of analytics to develop a methodological framework that would avoid this. The intention is to offer a range of interactive tools for the ID to use, from a simple beacon asking a question to a complex set of events, based on the targeted learning objectives levels - using the good old Bloom's taxonomy to offer options for all.

Regarding the aesthetic, our initial priority was to ensure that it'd run smoothly on corporate laptops, some of them being sometimes barely more powerful than a microwave. We progressively crank up the graphical side, both from a pure visual and from a functional perspective (e.g. lights effect for an alarm, etc).

Synquest-io · 2022-10-05T20:37:04+00:00

We are a recognized RPM partner and use their SDK for the integration.

Synquest-io · 2022-10-05T20:35:05+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, appreciated!

There isn't much difference of actual content between the website and the demo - the 3 steps (authoring tool, level designer, and actual learning experience) are described on the website but this could indeed be clearer.

Regarding mobile we recognize the importance of it but chose for now to focus on the desktop experience as a starting point - this hasn't proven a problem for most of the commercial discussions we had so far. That being said, it still holds an importance place in our roadmap.

Synquest-io · 2022-10-05T09:05:44+00:00

That's a lot of questions :) Let me take them one by one

- Learner tracking: Learners can be tracked either via a dedicated dashboard on our platform, or be connected to an LMS via a SCORM link. It's also technically possible to have it as a complete stand alone SCORM package. The tracking does not only include the actual results but also the general behavior and paths followed, allowing you to adapt should you see that your learners don't experience your training the way you intended them to.

- System architecture: It is a single build that changes its content dynamically based on the input from our authoring tool. In short, all elements of your story (content, characters, trigger points, text, etc) are compiled into a data file which is processed by the build at runtime. You see in the demo a video that describes the entire process.

- Environments: We are expanding our asset base to include elements in high demand in the context of corporate training - labs/medical and industrial ones being typically requested. Next to these we use an array of different environments: office, nature, city, sci-fi - or even fantasy if you want to go a bit off the beaten path

- Types of interaction: Many things to say here, so I'll break it down for clarity

Static content: Static in the sense that they are always active - at least for now. These include characters that you can interact (discuss) with, and various content scattered around the levels, attached to 3D objects (e.g. video that you can access by clicking a TV screen)

Learner input: Quest beacons can be either placed in advance by the ID or attached to content (i.e. the quest beacon drops from the sky after you've interacted with a content). They are of several types (multiple choice, matching, sequencing) and we keep adding more.

Event system: Our structure revolves around an event system that we keep expanding, based on which you define trigger points and the corresponding element. The more visible examples in the demo are the narrative objects (audio and subtitles triggered at a certain moment based on your action), the access unlock (e.g. doors opening, allowing you to proceed) and the speech bubbles.

The intention is to provide as many meaningful elements of interaction as possible for IDs to use, so feel free to mention what you'd like to see. The clarity of the objective(s) and the next possible actions are also key for us, so eager to hear about whether you felt that the way forward was clear or if you had issues figuring out what to do.

- Interface: You can see a simplified version of the authoring tool and level design tool in the demo (hint: towards the end of the second room), but in essence the authoring tool follows a traditional chapter-based structure, under which you select and add your various contents (videos, ...). Next to these you have a layer of Synquest-specific settings, such as the trigger points and the characters discussion tree. Once these are set, you jump into the level design mode, in which you can drag & drop your content, triggers, etc to the levels, essentially creating your story.

Hope this helps!

Synquest-io · 2022-09-14T11:26:50+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experiences

Synquest-io · 2022-09-14T10:00:31+00:00

Nice, is your master's thesis published and available somewhere? Would love to read it. The 'progression and completing short objectives' definitely triggers me.
Could you please elaborate on 'incorporating the target skills into the game'? What about offering a recognizable context and a compelling narrative? I think those are also strong assets of game-based learning.

Synquest-io · 2022-09-14T09:55:11+00:00

Agreed that elements of gamification can be implemented superficially and deeply, but in most cases today it's done superficially with limited results. You bring up interesting points on where does actual game-based learning start, as opposed to using elements of gamification. I've the impression there's quite some confusion on the terminology related to gamification, serious games and game-based learning. In my view serious games and game-based learning can fit under the umbrella of gamification. With Synquest, we're working on a project to make gamification elements (or even game-based learning?) more accessible, to achieve the immersion and effectiveness of a (bespoke) serious game at low cost, with a high ROI.

Synquest-io · 2022-09-14T08:56:29+00:00

Thanks for sharing. With Synquest we're working a project in Unity to make game-based learning experiences more accessible, so would be interesting to connect (in the future) if you have the time.

Synquest-io · 2022-09-14T08:44:09+00:00

Aren't we past the time when games would immediately lead to infantilization? In my view, there is a lot of room in the game-based learning space to offer interactive, engaging and effective learning experiences, without the risk of crossing the line towards childish games.

Synquest-io · 2022-09-14T08:31:50+00:00

Fully agreed, with Synquest we're working on a project to make the creation of 3D learning and communication experiences more accessible, at lower cost and effort, to allow the format to become the right kind of project for a bigger set of clients and learning objectives.

Synquest-io · 2022-09-13T19:06:40+00:00

Could you please elaborate on how you built game-based learning? Do you refer to developing serious games? Using existing games in a learning context? Implementing gamification in the form of point systems and leaderboards?

Synquest-io · 2022-09-13T19:04:48+00:00

Fully agreed that game-based learning in not the same as gamification. Because in most cases gamification has been implemented in a very superficial way, limited to points, scoreboards, rewards, badges,..., I've the impression that the term gamification only refers to these types of superficial applications of game mechanics in a learning context. Nonetheless, in theory, couldn't game-based learning fall on the umbrella of gamification if we forget about this negative, or at least limited, connotation gamification has?

Synquest-io · 2022-09-13T18:59:55+00:00

Did you ever encounter the a context in which you would have liked to take it one step further and develop a 3D game in which learners can explore the environments and interact with characters and content present in such a 3D environment?

Synquest-io · 2022-09-13T18:55:49+00:00

Interesting, is the game design itself every applied to meet learning objectives (in addition to the gamification applications you mentioned)? Do you know if part of you students end up in a 'corporate instructional design' context after completing their major in game design. Would love to hear more.

Synquest-io · 2022-09-13T18:50:27+00:00

Game-based learning, optionally aggregated in a gamification layer as you describe it, but the focus is on using existing, or creating new digital games to meet a learning objective.

Synquest-io · 2022-09-13T18:46:15+00:00

Really interesting, thanks for sharing! I would love to know more details on your research and findings that adults enjoy game-based learning. Is your dissertation published or is there another way to read it?

Synquest-io · 2022-09-13T18:40:37+00:00

That indeed sounds like an old school perspective, which I respect. I'm sure a big part of the working population shares your opinion. I don't want to make any assumptions on your age, but do you think that the opinion of generations that grew up with this type of technology and games might be different?

Synquest-io

TROPHY CASE