Impersonal, non-face-to-face contact and text-based interfaces, in the e-Learning segment, present major problems that are encountered by learners, since they are out on vital personal interactions and useful feedback messages, as well as on real-time information about their learning performance. This research programme suggests a multimodal, combined with an edutainment approach, which is expected to improve the communications between users and e-Learning systems. This thesis empirically investigates users’ effectiveness; efficiency and satisfaction, in order to determine the influence of edutainment, (e.g. amusing speech and facial expressions), combined with multimodal metaphors, (e.g. speech, earcon, avatar, etc.), within e-Learning environments. Besides text, speech, visual, and earcon modalities, avatars are incorporated to offer a visual and listening realm, in online learning. The methodology used for this research project comprises a literature review, as well as three experimental platforms. The initial experiment serves as a first step towards investigating the feasibility of completing all the tasks and objectives in the research project, outlined above. The remaining two experiments explore, further, the role of edutainment in enhancing e-Learning user interfaces. The overall challenge is to enhance user-interface usability; to improve the presentation of learning, in e-Learning systems; to improve user enjoyment; to enhance interactivity and learning performance; and, also, to contribute in developing guidelines for multimodal involvement, in the context of edutainment. The results of the experiments presented in this thesis show an improvement in user enjoyment, through satisfaction measurements. In the first experiment, the enjoyment level increased by 11%, in the Edutainment (E) platform, compared to the Non-edutainment (NE) interface. In the second experiment, the Game-Based Learning (GBL) interface obtained 14% greater enhancement than the Virtual Class (VC) interface and 20.85% more than the Storytelling interface; whereas, the percentage obtained by the game incorporated with avatars increased by an extra 3%, compared with the other platforms, in the third experiment. In addition, improvement in both user performance and learning retention were detected through effective and efficiency measurements. In the first experiment, there was no significant difference between mean values of time, for both conditions (E) & (NE) which were not found to be significant, when tested using T-test. In the second experiment, the time spent in condition (GBL) was higher by 7-10 seconds, than in the other conditions. In the third experiment, the mean values of the time taken by the users, in all conditions, were comparable, with an average of 22.8%. With regards to effectiveness, the findings of the first experiment showed, generally, that the mean correct answer for condition (E) was higher by 20%, than the mean for condition (NE). Users in condition (GBL) performed better than the users in the other conditions, in the second experiment. The percentage of correct answers, in the second experiment, was higher by 20% and by 34.7%, in condition (GBL), than in the (VC) and (ST), respectively. Finally, a set of empirically derived guidelines was produced for the design of usable multimodal e-Learning and edutainment interfaces.

Le phénomène du décrochage scolaire est encore très présent dans notre société, particulièrement chez les garçons. Notre mémoire s’intéresse à la question et vise à mieux comprendre la dynamique motivationnelle d’un échantillon (N=11) d’élèves masculins considéré comme étant « à risque » de décrochage au 3e cycle d’une école primaire de Montréal. De plus, notre expérimentation vise spécifiquement à décrire l’influence de l’utilisation d’une activité pédagogique dite « motivante » : le jeu éducatif numérique « Math en Jeu » sur la dynamique motivationnelle à apprendre en mathématiques. Il s’agit d’une étude de cas avec une approche mixte de collecte de données. Nos résultats révèlent quatre profils de dynamique motivationnelle chez les élèves de notre échantillon : 1) les élèves en difficulté en mathématiques, 2) les élèves démotivés et 3) les élèves démotivés et en difficulté en mathématiques, puis, 4) des cas plus complexes. Notre analyse montre que « Math en Jeu » suscite un grand intérêt chez tous les élèves de notre échantillon. L’influence du jeu sur la dynamique motivationnelle semble toutefois mieux convenir aux élèves avec des dynamiques motivationnelles de type « démotivé » ou « démotivé et en difficulté en mathématiques » et dans une certaine mesure, certains élèves catégorisés comme étant des « cas complexes ». Nos résultats indiquent que le jeu pourrait notamment avoir une certaine influence sur le sentiment de compétence à réussir de l’élève. Toutefois, pour être en mesure de mieux décrire et analyser ces influences, il serait préférable de mener des recherches sur une plus longue durée, dans un contexte naturel de classe et sur un échantillon d’élèves plus grand. / The phenomena of school dropouts remains an area of grave concern in North American society, and one that is particularly present among boys. Our research aims to better understand the motivational dynamics of elementary school boys considered “atrisk” (Student Subjects = 11). Our research, both theoretical and practical, analyses the influence of an educational video game called "Math-a-Maze" on the motivational dynamics of boys at-risk, when learning mathematics. This is a case study with a mixed approach to data collection. Our sample of students represents four types of motivational dynamics : 1) Students that struggle in mathematics, 2) Students that are disengaged, 3) Students that are disengaged and that struggle in mathematics, and, 4) More complex cases. Our analysis revealed that “Math-a-Maze” generated great interest and enthusiasm among all students in our sample. The influence of this learning tool on the motivational dynamics of our subjects was more pronounced for students displaying motivational dynamics 2 and 3, "disengaged" or “disengaged and struggling in math” and some students of more complex cases. For example, our results indicate that this educational game could have a positive influence on the student’s sense of competency, and thus, their self-confidence in the subject. In order to more thoroughly explore the possible influences of this teaching method however, more in-depth research is suggested, over a longer period of time, in a natural classroom environment and with a larger sample of students at-risk.

桌上遊戲從休閒娛樂逐漸融入到學校教育，運用巧妙設計的遊戲機制引發學生遊玩意願，進而在愉悅中學習。數位桌遊，一個透過結合數位科技的優勢輔助學習與娛樂的概念隨著教育型桌遊而崛起；然而從產業、學習、娛樂等角度來思考，數位桌遊究竟應具何特性？其體驗是否良好？學習是否有效？透過這些問題，本研究旨在（1）瞭解桌遊產業與玩家對數位桌遊的需求，（2）設計一款體驗供需法則的數位桌遊，（3）評估數位桌遊的遊戲性與學習效益。 首先，本研究運用體驗式學習圈與建構主義等學習理論設計出桌遊《寶島建設》，接著透過訪談桌遊產業各利害關係人了解產業對數位桌遊的想像與需求，透過彙整訪談內容建立數位桌遊的設計指標，最後本研究投入研發數位桌遊與數據分析系統，用以分析學習者的學習歷程與經驗。 本研究共有32位參與者，在進行遊戲期間會採集參與者的操作行為和遊戲資料作為分析，遊戲後會填寫含有心流經驗和遊戲接受度的問卷，並接受遊戲性與學習內容相關的訪談。實驗結果顯示，參與者普遍對《寶島建設》感到滿意，從競標的數據上顯示參與者逐漸掌握資源的價格區間；所開發的數據分析系統亦能發現參與者未達表現的原因，進而對學習者提出有效建議。 總結，本研究成果為（1）透過訪談瞭解桌遊產業對數位桌遊的需求與想像。（2）設計出能體驗與學習供需法則的數位桌遊《寶島建設》，並獲得遊戲參與者們對遊戲體驗正向的回饋。（3）數據分析系統能透過歷程分析了解學習者的困難與障礙，從數據分析圖表裡也可發現學習者逐漸掌握價格區間，這顯示透過數位桌遊《寶島建設》的競標機制能有效學習掌握需求與價格的關係。 / Board games in Taiwan has risen from leisure and entertainment towards teachings in schools, by introducing fascinating game mechanism and theme to enhance student motivation makes learning more fun. Digital board games, a concept combining the advantages of digital technologies to enhance learning and entertaining arose with the rise of educational board games; however, from the aspect of industry, learning and entertainment, what characteristic should digital board game have? Does it create good experience? Is learning effective? Through these question, this research aims to (1) Understand the visions and needs of industry towards digital board game, (2) Design a digital board game to learn the law of supply & demand, (3) Evaluate the learning effectiveness and gameplay. First, the research uses the experiential cycle and constructism learning theory to design the board game Formosa Construction Ltd, then interview several industrial stakeholders to understand the needs and visions of digital board game, through the interviews concluded a design guidelines, finally the digital version of Formosa Consturction Ltd was built along with the data analysis program use to evaluate user experience and learning portfolio in game. Experiments was conducted with 32 participants, gameplay data are collected during gameplay, participants was asked to fill in a questionnaire with flow experience and acceptance, an interview session regarding gameplay and learning will be held after the questionnaire. Results indicate that participants are satisfy with the game, and data collected from auction showed that participants were progressively mastering the price range; The data analysis program was able to find reasons for participants that did not perform well, having chance to provide advice to learners. In conclusion, the research results are (1) Understand the needs and visions of digital board game through interviewing The Taiwan Board Game Industry. (2) Design Formosa Construction Ltd and obtain positive feedback. (3) The data analysis program showed the obstacles learners met through portfolio analysis, auction data analysis also showed participants was progressively mastering the price range, showing that Formosa Contruction Ltd is effective in learning the relation between needs and price.

O presente estudo busca explicar de que forma o uso de jogos digitais contribui para o processo de desenvolvimento de gestores públicos, considerando-se que a capacitação gerencial é fundamental para o alcance de resultados e para a prestação de serviços públicos de qualidade. O primeiro passo da pesquisa foi compreender na literatura o que significa o uso de jogos digitais para fins educacionais e de desenvolvimento, o que foi feito por meio de um estudo bibliométrico. Na prática, o uso de jogos digitais relaciona-se a conceitos como jogos sérios (serious games), gamificação (gamification) e aprendizado por meio de jogos (game-based learning). O estudo envolveu, então, o desenvolvimento do serious game Liderança em Jogo: Competências, Papéis e Responsabilidades, que leva em conta o contexto do setor público e foi pensado justamente como ferramenta para o desenvolvimento de gestores públicos. A aplicação do jogo foi feita por meio de um curso especialmente concebido para este trabalho e a avaliação de sua eficácia considerou o modelo de quatro níveis de Kirkpatrick (reação, aprendizado, comportamento e resultados). O impacto do uso desse jogo digital foi avaliado comparativamente por meio de um conjunto de dois experimentos completamente aleatorizados, com grupo de controle e no formato pré-teste/pós-teste (experimento 1) e pós-teste apenas (experimento 2). A pesquisa foi multimétodo, envolvendo triangulação metodológica, sendo complementada por análises qualitativas (entrevistas semiestruturadas e análise de conteúdo). Como principais resultados, foram verificados impactos nos quatro níveis avaliados. Os experimentos mostraram que, em comparação ao grupo de controle, quem joga (grupo experimental) gosta mais do processo de aprendizado (reação) e apresenta maiores níveis de atenção e relevância do modelo ARCS, desenvolvido por John M. Keller, utilizado para avaliar a motivação; demonstra maiores níveis de aquisição de conhecimento (aprendizado); desenvolve uma visão de gestão mais atrelada aos aspectos humanos (atitude como antecedente do comportamento); e vê mais impactos do treinamento sobre o resultado projetado de seu trabalho para o futuro (resultados). As entrevistas ainda indicaram que o jogo, além de ter seguido os preceitos de game design que o caracterizam como tal, provocou reflexões que resultaram em mudança de comportamento em situações do dia a dia. Assim, considerando-se o desenvolvimento gerencial do ponto de vista das competências como o conjunto de Conhecimentos, Habilidades e Atitudes (CHA) da pessoa, vê-se que o jogo digital utilizado é efetivo para o desenvolvimento gerencial, uma vez que os experimentos detectaram aquisição de conhecimentos e mudanças de atitudes. A contribuição do estudo é relevante pois, além de trazer evidências empíricas necessárias à literatura, integra em um framework conceitual as inter-relações de diversos referenciais teóricos como base para uma pesquisa operacionalizável. As principais limitações do estudo estão associadas à artificialidade dos experimentos e ao não controle de variáveis que possam ter impacto no aprendizado. Além da opção de avaliar apenas os níveis mais baixos de aprendizado da taxonomia de Bloom, com a utilização de questões diretas no instrumento de avaliação de conhecimento, o reduzido número de participantes também foi uma limitação, impactando as possibilidades estatísticas de identificar efeitos sobre os níveis de profundidade do conhecimento adquirido ou diferentes assuntos considerados no curso/treinamento. / This study aims to explain how the use of digital games can contribute to the process of development of public managers, considering that managerial capacity is key to the achievement of results and the provision of good quality public services. The first step of the research was to seek in the literature what the use of digital games means in terms of educational and development purposes. That was done through a bibliometric study. In practice, the use of digital games is related to concepts such as serious games, gamification and game-based learning. The following step involved the development of the serious game entitled Liderançaem Jogo: Competências, Papéis e Responsabilidades, which takes into account the context of the Public Sector and was built specifically as a tool for the development of public managers. The application of the game was made through a course specially designed for this study and the assessment of its effectiveness considered Kirkpatrick\'s four-level model (reaction, learning, behavior and results). The impact of the use of this digital game was evaluated through a set of two randomized experiments, with a control group and in the pre-test /post-test format (experiment 1) and post-test only (experiment 2). The research was multi-method, involving methodological triangulation and was complemented by qualitative analyzes (semi-structured interviews and content analysis). The main results show impacts in the four evaluated levels. The experiments showed that, in comparison with the control group, the subjects who play (experimental group) enjoy more the learning process (reaction) and present higher levels of attention and relevance, according to the ARCS model developed by John M. Keller, used to evaluate motivation. In addition, they demonstrate higher levels of knowledge acquisition (learning); develop a management vision more linked to human aspects (attitude as antecedent of the behavior) and see more impact of the training on the outcomes of their job for the future (results). The interviews also indicated that the game, in addition to having followed the precepts of game design led to reflections that resulted in behavior change in day-to-day situations. Therefore, considering the managerial development from the point of view of the competences as the sum of knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) of a person, it is seen that the digital game used is effective, once the experiments detected acquisition of knowledge and changes in attitudes. The contribution of this study is relevant because, in addition to bringing empirical evidence to the literature, it integrates the inter-relationships of several theoretical references into a conceptual framework as the basis for an executable research. The main limitations of the study are associated with the artificiality of the experiments and the non-control of variables that may have an impact on learning. Besides evaluating only the lower learning levels according to the Bloom\'s taxonomy, using direct questions in the assessment instrument, the small number of participants was also a factor of limitation, which might have impacted on statistical inference of the effects on the levels of depth of knowledge acquired or on the different topics approached in the course/training.

長期以來，國小圖書館受限於經費及人力的不足，使得其功能無法充分發揮，有些學校圖書館甚至沒有規劃圖書館利用教育的課程，學生雖可到圖書館中自由閱讀，但若不具備找尋圖書的能力，常會因而無法找到自己有興趣的書籍而在廣大的書海中迷失，使圖書館的功能逐漸喪失，因此如何藉由圖書館利用教育課程教導學生找尋書本的能力也就越顯重要。 隨著電腦科技日益發達，學習教材和學習方式也變得多元化，近年來利用遊戲方式進行學習的研究有愈來愈多的趨勢，學者認為若能將遊戲融合教學，將能達到寓教於樂的教學目標。本研究透過實際開發遊戲系統的方式，嘗試以情境學習理論為發展基礎，將擴增實境互動技術應用到圖書館的學習環境上，透過「遊戲互動擴增實境圖書館利用教育學習系統」的建置，來發展創新的圖書館利用教育學習模式，並藉此系統的發展來支援國小圖書館利用教育的實施。 實驗結果顯示利用「遊戲互動擴增實境圖書館利用教育系統」進行學習，各方面成績皆有顯著的進步，且學習成效可排除授課者個人因素之影響，具有穩定的教學品質。另外，本研究所發展的系統，對於高、低分群和場地相依的學習者來說，使用本系統進行學習，其學習成效在「應用型題目」上明顯優於傳統圖書館利用教育，並且可以加強學習者學習動機。除此之外，使用本系統之教學成效不會受到個人使用電腦的熟悉度所影響，因此未來在發展和推廣本系統的同時，不需要考慮學生是否具備良好之基本電腦使用能力。 / Due to the limited budgets and human resources, most libraries in the elementary schools of Taiwan have been unable fully functioned and utilized as its role should be in school organization. Some schools do not plan and provide library utilization education for children. Although students can go to libraries enjoying readings, they are not well trained for search library collection and resources. As a result, they are usually unable to find the books they are interested and easily getting lost in enormous information environment. This study proposes the importance of library usage training as a significant program in elementary school; promoting students’ abilities of finding books they need both for school works and personal interests. With the advance in computer technology, the learning materials and learning methods have become diversified in recent years. In particular, the instruction method of game-based learning has drawn much attention in education research. Many education researchers and scholars think the integration of teaching and games will promotes students’ performances while the learning activities are also functioned as entertaining process. This study attempts to develop educational gaming system on the basis of situated learning theory, adopting the innovative augmented reality interactive technology on the library's learning environment. This study hopes students’ library knowledge of library usages could be promoted through the "Interactive Augmented Reality Games Library Education Learning System." Moreover, the study could develop innovative learning model for elementary schools in library usages as well as to support future implementation programs for elementary library usage education. Experimental results show that students have significant improvement on learning performance after using "Interactive Augmented Reality Games Library Education Learning System." The assessment also showed improvement based on the exclusion of personal factors from teachers. In addition, this system promotes better learning performance and motivation for learners of high and Low graded groups as well as the field-dependent learners in the “application questions” tasks. Moreover, the education effectiveness of this system will not be affected by personal factors such as familiarity on computers skills. Therefore, there would be less consideration on students’ computer skills needed for future adoption on this system in library usage programs.

近幾年平版電腦興起，觸控式平板之操作介面簡單直覺，學習曲線低，很適合小朋友來操作，已逐漸被使用在教育市場中。回顧教育學家所提出之學習理論，我們發現感官和四肢，是嬰幼兒時期主要的發展任務，也是幼兒智慧發展的根源，然而平板電腦缺乏實物的觸覺感知，平面的觸控體驗大幅限制了兒童的感官知能。因此本創作旨在針對3~6歲的小朋友，設計一套結合觸控平板之實體感知玩具（Tangible Toys），並延續福祿貝爾與蒙特梭利對於觸覺學習的教育理論，實作兩種運用於平板與感知玩具的遊戲學習模式，提供新型態的互動學習體驗。小朋友在本創作設計之遊戲學習過程中使用到手的操作與觸覺感知，藉由有趣的感官互動，增加小朋友的學習興趣。 我們提出兩種英文單字的學習模式，並觀察與分析兒童使用感知玩具在平板上的操作行為，作為未來「數位教具」與「平板」結合的參考依據，本創作所發展之技術亦可輔助觸控式平板發展多樣化之「數位教具」。 綜合所述，本創作完成目標如下： 1. 互動學習體驗：以感知玩具結合平板的互動形式帶給兒童新型態的互動學習體驗。 2. 兒童探索學習：透過感知玩具刺激兒童的學習興趣，利用不同的玩偶讓兒童嘗試去探索關聯式的單字。 3. 操作經驗分析：分析兒童對於感知玩具的使用經驗與操作，作為未來「數位教具」與「平板」結合的參考依據。 / Touch-based tablets have grown extremely rapidly in recent years. Since the touch-based interface is simple, intuitive and easy to learn, touch-based tablets have been adopted quickly in the Education market. However, touch-based tablet lacks tangible and tactile feedback, thus it constrains children’s learning ability of sensations. In this paper, we aimed at 3~6 years old children and designed a children’s learning app with tangible toys on the tablet. By extending Frobel and Montessori’s tactile learning theory, we implemented two game-based learning applications with tangible toys to bring a novel interactive learning experience for children. We conducted the preliminary study of 4 kindergarten children. The result showed that children were interested in tangible toys and had more fun in the learning activities. Finally, our capacitive tags can be used to design various forms of digital manipulatives on the tablets.

Le phénomène du décrochage scolaire est encore très présent dans notre société, particulièrement chez les garçons. Notre mémoire s’intéresse à la question et vise à mieux comprendre la dynamique motivationnelle d’un échantillon (N=11) d’élèves masculins considéré comme étant « à risque » de décrochage au 3e cycle d’une école primaire de Montréal. De plus, notre expérimentation vise spécifiquement à décrire l’influence de l’utilisation d’une activité pédagogique dite « motivante » : le jeu éducatif numérique « Math en Jeu » sur la dynamique motivationnelle à apprendre en mathématiques. Il s’agit d’une étude de cas avec une approche mixte de collecte de données. Nos résultats révèlent quatre profils de dynamique motivationnelle chez les élèves de notre échantillon : 1) les élèves en difficulté en mathématiques, 2) les élèves démotivés et 3) les élèves démotivés et en difficulté en mathématiques, puis, 4) des cas plus complexes. Notre analyse montre que « Math en Jeu » suscite un grand intérêt chez tous les élèves de notre échantillon. L’influence du jeu sur la dynamique motivationnelle semble toutefois mieux convenir aux élèves avec des dynamiques motivationnelles de type « démotivé » ou « démotivé et en difficulté en mathématiques » et dans une certaine mesure, certains élèves catégorisés comme étant des « cas complexes ». Nos résultats indiquent que le jeu pourrait notamment avoir une certaine influence sur le sentiment de compétence à réussir de l’élève. Toutefois, pour être en mesure de mieux décrire et analyser ces influences, il serait préférable de mener des recherches sur une plus longue durée, dans un contexte naturel de classe et sur un échantillon d’élèves plus grand. / The phenomena of school dropouts remains an area of grave concern in North American society, and one that is particularly present among boys. Our research aims to better understand the motivational dynamics of elementary school boys considered “atrisk” (Student Subjects = 11). Our research, both theoretical and practical, analyses the influence of an educational video game called "Math-a-Maze" on the motivational dynamics of boys at-risk, when learning mathematics. This is a case study with a mixed approach to data collection. Our sample of students represents four types of motivational dynamics : 1) Students that struggle in mathematics, 2) Students that are disengaged, 3) Students that are disengaged and that struggle in mathematics, and, 4) More complex cases. Our analysis revealed that “Math-a-Maze” generated great interest and enthusiasm among all students in our sample. The influence of this learning tool on the motivational dynamics of our subjects was more pronounced for students displaying motivational dynamics 2 and 3, "disengaged" or “disengaged and struggling in math” and some students of more complex cases. For example, our results indicate that this educational game could have a positive influence on the student’s sense of competency, and thus, their self-confidence in the subject. In order to more thoroughly explore the possible influences of this teaching method however, more in-depth research is suggested, over a longer period of time, in a natural classroom environment and with a larger sample of students at-risk.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Nelson Studart / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Mestrado Nacional Profissional em Ensino de Física - MNPEF, 2017. / Este trabalho consiste em uma Sequência de Ensino Aprendizagem (SEA) baseada em atividades experimentais virtuais usando o game Portal 2 com o objetivo de subsidiar os professores de Física que desejem inovar em suas práticas educacionais. Ao observar que o ensino tradicional, em que os alunos são expostos à memorização de fórmulas e resolução de exercícios sem aplicação prática, poderia estar relacionado a um baixo interesse pelo conteúdo apresentado, este trabalho busca apresentar uma alternativa de ensino, a aprendizagem baseada em games, algumas técnicas da gamificação. A aplicação numa escola particular de São Paulo mostrou a eficácia da utilização do game Portal 2, considerado o mais apropriado para o ensino de Física, para demonstrar o caráter experimental da Física e tornar o ensino mais atraente aos alunos que são considerados nativos digitais. / This work consists in a Teaching and Learning Sequence (TLS) based on experimental virtual activities using the game Portal 2. The objective is subsidizing physics teachers who wish to innovate in their educational practices. The traditional teaching, in which the learning process employs memorization of formulas and resolution of exercises by the students without any practical application, could be related to the low interest in the learning of physics. This work presents an alternative approach, the game based learning (GBL) and some techniques of gamification. The application in a private school of São Paulo showed the effectiveness of using the game Portal 2, recognized as the most appropriate game to physics teaching, in demonstrating the experimental nature of Physics and make teaching task more attractive to students who are considered digital natives.

O presente estudo busca explicar de que forma o uso de jogos digitais contribui para o processo de desenvolvimento de gestores públicos, considerando-se que a capacitação gerencial é fundamental para o alcance de resultados e para a prestação de serviços públicos de qualidade. O primeiro passo da pesquisa foi compreender na literatura o que significa o uso de jogos digitais para fins educacionais e de desenvolvimento, o que foi feito por meio de um estudo bibliométrico. Na prática, o uso de jogos digitais relaciona-se a conceitos como jogos sérios (serious games), gamificação (gamification) e aprendizado por meio de jogos (game-based learning). O estudo envolveu, então, o desenvolvimento do serious game Liderança em Jogo: Competências, Papéis e Responsabilidades, que leva em conta o contexto do setor público e foi pensado justamente como ferramenta para o desenvolvimento de gestores públicos. A aplicação do jogo foi feita por meio de um curso especialmente concebido para este trabalho e a avaliação de sua eficácia considerou o modelo de quatro níveis de Kirkpatrick (reação, aprendizado, comportamento e resultados). O impacto do uso desse jogo digital foi avaliado comparativamente por meio de um conjunto de dois experimentos completamente aleatorizados, com grupo de controle e no formato pré-teste/pós-teste (experimento 1) e pós-teste apenas (experimento 2). A pesquisa foi multimétodo, envolvendo triangulação metodológica, sendo complementada por análises qualitativas (entrevistas semiestruturadas e análise de conteúdo). Como principais resultados, foram verificados impactos nos quatro níveis avaliados. Os experimentos mostraram que, em comparação ao grupo de controle, quem joga (grupo experimental) gosta mais do processo de aprendizado (reação) e apresenta maiores níveis de atenção e relevância do modelo ARCS, desenvolvido por John M. Keller, utilizado para avaliar a motivação; demonstra maiores níveis de aquisição de conhecimento (aprendizado); desenvolve uma visão de gestão mais atrelada aos aspectos humanos (atitude como antecedente do comportamento); e vê mais impactos do treinamento sobre o resultado projetado de seu trabalho para o futuro (resultados). As entrevistas ainda indicaram que o jogo, além de ter seguido os preceitos de game design que o caracterizam como tal, provocou reflexões que resultaram em mudança de comportamento em situações do dia a dia. Assim, considerando-se o desenvolvimento gerencial do ponto de vista das competências como o conjunto de Conhecimentos, Habilidades e Atitudes (CHA) da pessoa, vê-se que o jogo digital utilizado é efetivo para o desenvolvimento gerencial, uma vez que os experimentos detectaram aquisição de conhecimentos e mudanças de atitudes. A contribuição do estudo é relevante pois, além de trazer evidências empíricas necessárias à literatura, integra em um framework conceitual as inter-relações de diversos referenciais teóricos como base para uma pesquisa operacionalizável. As principais limitações do estudo estão associadas à artificialidade dos experimentos e ao não controle de variáveis que possam ter impacto no aprendizado. Além da opção de avaliar apenas os níveis mais baixos de aprendizado da taxonomia de Bloom, com a utilização de questões diretas no instrumento de avaliação de conhecimento, o reduzido número de participantes também foi uma limitação, impactando as possibilidades estatísticas de identificar efeitos sobre os níveis de profundidade do conhecimento adquirido ou diferentes assuntos considerados no curso/treinamento. / This study aims to explain how the use of digital games can contribute to the process of development of public managers, considering that managerial capacity is key to the achievement of results and the provision of good quality public services. The first step of the research was to seek in the literature what the use of digital games means in terms of educational and development purposes. That was done through a bibliometric study. In practice, the use of digital games is related to concepts such as serious games, gamification and game-based learning. The following step involved the development of the serious game entitled Liderançaem Jogo: Competências, Papéis e Responsabilidades, which takes into account the context of the Public Sector and was built specifically as a tool for the development of public managers. The application of the game was made through a course specially designed for this study and the assessment of its effectiveness considered Kirkpatrick\'s four-level model (reaction, learning, behavior and results). The impact of the use of this digital game was evaluated through a set of two randomized experiments, with a control group and in the pre-test /post-test format (experiment 1) and post-test only (experiment 2). The research was multi-method, involving methodological triangulation and was complemented by qualitative analyzes (semi-structured interviews and content analysis). The main results show impacts in the four evaluated levels. The experiments showed that, in comparison with the control group, the subjects who play (experimental group) enjoy more the learning process (reaction) and present higher levels of attention and relevance, according to the ARCS model developed by John M. Keller, used to evaluate motivation. In addition, they demonstrate higher levels of knowledge acquisition (learning); develop a management vision more linked to human aspects (attitude as antecedent of the behavior) and see more impact of the training on the outcomes of their job for the future (results). The interviews also indicated that the game, in addition to having followed the precepts of game design led to reflections that resulted in behavior change in day-to-day situations. Therefore, considering the managerial development from the point of view of the competences as the sum of knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) of a person, it is seen that the digital game used is effective, once the experiments detected acquisition of knowledge and changes in attitudes. The contribution of this study is relevant because, in addition to bringing empirical evidence to the literature, it integrates the inter-relationships of several theoretical references into a conceptual framework as the basis for an executable research. The main limitations of the study are associated with the artificiality of the experiments and the non-control of variables that may have an impact on learning. Besides evaluating only the lower learning levels according to the Bloom\'s taxonomy, using direct questions in the assessment instrument, the small number of participants was also a factor of limitation, which might have impacted on statistical inference of the effects on the levels of depth of knowledge acquired or on the different topics approached in the course/training.

<div> <div> <div> <p>Previous work has identified the many difficulties that students experience in learning abstract concepts in STEM. Past studies have also identified the critical role that emotions play on students' motivation to learn. As new learning technologies are developed, they enable visualizing complex scientific concepts which can be non-visible thus assisting students' understanding of abstract ideas as well as improving their motivation as they learn. This study investigated two learning technologies and compared them to examine 1) their effectiveness on learning concepts of electricity in physics and 2) the interplay between learning with technology and emotions. Participants were randomly assigned to either Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) with a computer simulation or Game-Based Learning (GBL) with a computer game which addressed concepts of electricity in physics. During the experiment, students in the IBL condition explored materials by using the computer simulation and posed hypotheses and questions on their own with a guiding worksheet for IBL. Students in the GBL condition played an educational computer game following the guiding worksheet while they were meeting challenges created by the game with a guiding worksheet for GBL. Students' learning gains were assessed by comparing their pretest and posttest scores. Emotions were self-reported after the posttest by responding to a survey that measured 6 emotional scales that students may perceive during the experiment. The study found that both IBL and GBL enhanced students' understanding of given concepts. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two conditions in terms of learning gains. Students in the IBL achieved higher mean learning gains, whereas students in the GBL showed that they were more engaged. At the same time, students in the GBL perceived more confusion and frustration compared to students in the IBL. <br></p> </div> </div> </div>