© Springer International Publishing AG 2016. A serious game needs to combine a number of different aspects to help the end user in reaching the desired effects. This requires incorporating a broad range of different aspects in the design, stemming from a broad range of different fields of expertise. …

This formative study introduces DojoIBL, a web-based platform to support collaborative inquiry-based learning processes. By supporting communication and collaboration with new technological affordances, DojoIBL aims at nurturing communities of inquiry. The study elaborates on the theoretical underpinning …

This chapter discusses educational aspects and possibilities of serious games. For researchers as well as game designers we describe key learning theories to ground their work in theoretical framework. We draw on recent metareviews to offer an exhaustive inventory of known learning and affective outcomes …

In this chapter, we propose an ethical framework for serious game design, which we term the Ecosystem for Designing Games Ethically (EDGE). EDGE expands on Zagal’s categorization of ethical areas in game design by incorporating the different contexts of design and their use. In addition, we leverage …

The rise of smart technologies has created new opportunities to support blind and visually impaired persons (VIPs). One of the biggest problems we identified in our previous research on problems VIPs face during activities of daily life concerned the recognition of persons and their facial expressions. …

Smart wearable devices are integrated our everyday lives. Such wearable technology is worn on or near the body, while leaving both hands free. This enables users to receive and send information in a non-obtrusive way. Because of the ability to continuously assist and support activities, wearables could …

New health technologies are not accessible to all users due to the circumstantial or permanent disabilities some users have. Especially in healthcare, attention must be paid to accommodating all potential users or patients. With the smart use of multimodal systems and multimedia solutions, a broader …

The purpose of the research was to provide academic staff with insights into their own information behavior and to motivate them to refer to relevant, accurate and reliable resources in their own course materials. To achieve this we used a participative research approach. Six participants assessed course …

Gentle stroking touches are rated most pleasant when applied at a velocity of between 1–10 cm/s. Such touches are considered highly relevant in social interactions. Here, we investigate whether stroking sensations generated by a vibrotactile array can produce similar pleasantness responses, with the …

The use of robots as educational tools provides a stimulating environment for students. Some robotics competitions focus on primary and secondary school aged children, and serve as motivation for students to get involved in educational robotics activities. Although very appealing, many students cannot …