The Bolza-form of the finite-time constrained optimal control problem leads to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation with terminal boundary conditions and tobe- determined parameters. In general, it is a formidable task to obtain analytical and/or numerical solutions to the HJB equation. This dissertation presents two novel polynomial expansion methodologies for solving optimal feedback control problems for a class of polynomial nonlinear dynamical systems with terminal constraints. The first approach uses the concept of higher-order series expansion methods. Specifically, the Series Solution Method (SSM) utilizes a polynomial series expansion of the cost-to-go function with time-dependent coefficient gains that operate on the state variables and constraint Lagrange multipliers. A significant accomplishment of the dissertation is that the new approach allows for a systematic procedure to generate optimal feedback control laws that exactly satisfy various types of nonlinear terminal constraints. The second approach, based on modified Galerkin techniques for the solution of terminally constrained optimal control problems, is also developed in this dissertation. Depending on the time-interval, nonlinearity of the system, and the terminal constraints, the accuracy and the domain of convergence of the algorithm can be related to the order of truncation of the functional form of the optimal cost function. In order to limit the order of the expansion and still retain improved midcourse performance, a waypoint scheme is developed. The waypoint scheme has the dual advantages of reducing computational efforts and gain-storage requirements. This is especially true for autonomous systems. To illustrate the theoretical developments, several aerospace application-oriented examples are presented, including a minimum-fuel orbit transfer problem. Finally, the series solution method is applied to the solution of a class of partial differential equations that arise in robust control and differential games. Generally, these problems lead to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs (HJI) equation. A method is presented that allows this partial differential equation to be solved using the structured series solution approach. A detailed investigation, with several numerical examples, is presented on the Nash and Pareto-optimal nonlinear feedback solutions with a general terminal payoff. Other significant applications are also discussed for one-dimensional problems with control inequality constraints and parametric optimization.

The focus of this thesis was to use serious games as a tool to teach about obligation to give notice. Obligation to give notice means that certain professionals need to report to social services if a child is being harmed. This thesis studied if case-based storytelling could bring a relevant teaching experience, if storytelling could help participants learn about obligation to give notice and how instant and delayed feedback affect the learning. Participants played a story-based game with either instant or delayed feedback and answered three questionnaires about obligation to give notice. The study found that participants did find that the storytelling was useful for learning and gaining more knowledge about about obligation to give notice. For the feedback it was found that both types of feedback made the participants learn significantly more but there was no significant difference when comparing the feedbacks to each other.

This thesis studies how one can convey meaning in games by utilising pictorial feedback alone. With the help of Peircean visual semiotics the signs for the case study Among Ripples are assembled and later analysed in detail. As a subtopic the thesis also explores if it is possible to embed pictorial feedback into the game world instead of having it superimposed. The results showed that it is possible to convey some feedback with pictorial means alone, and that the entry points for understanding are not the same between different people. They look at different cues from the pictorial feedback constructed.