Pharmacy Challenge’ is a mobile/web multiplayer that was developed at
Kingston University. The game is designed to allow for small groups of students
to simultaneously revise certain aspects of the pharmacy curriculum in timed
quiz-based challenges. The purpose of this study is to help to identify a
successful game design for an educational game, the effects of such a game on
students’ performance and how it can improve their motivation to study.
The data gathered through the pre-intervention questionnaire indicated that
most students would approve the use of educational games in their
curriculum. The students’ answers indicated that the chat feature and social
interaction through competition/collaboration are important aspects of an
educational game. Most students agreed that they learn better when they can
choose when they study. Thus the game under designed was created as a
website accessible both to personal computers and mobile devices with
single/multiplayer modes available.
As part of this study a focus group and game evaluation session was carried
out in order to fine tune the game to students’ needs and to gather necessary
data such as students’ perceptions, their performance and game play data
logs. The collected data helped to formulate important questions on the
effectiveness of educational games and their use in the learning environment.
Using new and innovative technology could enhance students’ learning
experience and make it more fun, while improving their learning efficiency.
Educational games have a potential to turn students’ need for fun and play
into a positive constructive force that will boost their skills