Best practices for deploying digital games for personal empowerment and social inclusion

Digital games are being increasingly used in initiatives to promote personal empowerment and social inclusion (PESI) of disadvantaged groups through learning and participation. There is a lack of knowledge regarding best practices, however. The literature on game-based learning insufficiently addresses the process and context of game-based practice and the diversity of contexts and intermediaries involved in PESI work. This paper takes an important step in addressing this knowledge gap using literature review, case studies, and expert consultation. Based on our findings, we formulate a set of best practices for different stakeholders who wish to set up a project using digital games for PESI. The seven cases in point are projects that represent various application domains of empowerment and inclusion. Case studies were conducted using documentation and interviews, covering background and business case, game format/technology, user groups, usage context, and impact assessment. They provide insight into each case’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing a meta-analysis of the important features and challenges of using digital games for PESI. This analysis was extended and validated through discussion at two expert workshops. Our study shows that a substantial challenge lies in selecting or designing a digital game that strikes a balance between enjoyment, learning and usability for the given use context. The particular needs of the target group and those that help implement the digital game require a highly specific approach. Projects benefit from letting both intermediaries and target groups contribute to the game design and use context. Furthermore, there is a need for multi-dimensional support to facilitate the use and development of game-based practice. Integrating game use in the operation of formal and informal intermediary support organiszations increases the chances at reaching, teaching and empowering those at risk of exclusion. The teachers, caregivers and counsellors involved in the implementation of a game-based approach, in turn can be helped through documentation and training, in combination with structural support

Participation and Watershed Management: Experiences from Brazil

Public participation is emphasized in many new institutional approaches to resource management, especially watershed governance. The implementation of participatory management frameworks, and capacity-building for civil society participants, deserve close attention. This paper reports on an ongoing project in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, which is designed to strengthen the ability of local and NGO representatives to participate in democratic water management structures.This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canad

Eliciting user requirements with older adults: Lessons from the design of an interactive domestic alarm system

This paper documents how methodological challenges were addressed when identifying user requirements for an Interactive Domestic Alarm System (IDAS) designed to enable older adults to live independently in their own homes for longer. A novel approach to determine possible IDAS functionality is described, and the results of focus groups conducted with older adults and care workers are reported. The paper identifies some difficulties encountered when using the focus group method with an ageing sample, and highlights the importance of careful preparatory work if this method is to be used successfully in such a context

What factors determine the choice of public engagement undertaken by health technology assessment decision-making organizations?

Purpose: Public engagement in health technology assessment (HTA) is increasingly considered crucial for good decision-making. Determining the “right” type of engagement activity is key in achieving the appropriate consideration of public values. Little is known about the factors that determine how HTA organizations decide on their method of public engagement, and there are a number of possible factors that might shape these decisions. This paper seeks to understand the potential drivers of public engagement choice from an organizational perspective. Design/Methodology/: The published HTA literature is reviewed alongside existing frameworks of public engagement in order to elucidate key factors influencing the choice of public engagement process undertaken by HTA organizations. A conceptual framework is then developed to illustrate the factors identified from the literature that appear to influence public engagement choice. Findings: Determining the type of public engagement to be undertaken in HTA is based on multiple factors, some of which are not always explicitly acknowledged. These factors include: perceived complexity of the policymaking issue, perceived impact of the decision, transparency and opportunities for public involvement in governance, as well as time and resource constraints. The influence of these factors varies depending on the context, indicating that a one size fits all approach to public engagement may not be effective. Originality/value: Awareness of the various factors that might influence the type of public engagement undertaken would enable decision-makers to reflect on their choices and be more accountable and transparent about their choice of engagement process in eliciting public values and preferences in a HTA organization.SW was in receipt of an Australian Postgraduate Awar