No abstract

Life-long learning is currently being embraced as a central process that could disrupt traditional educational paths. Apparently, the (ideal) type of learning often promoted is deep and meaningful learning, though it is not always required to be so. Deep learning goes beyond superficial knowledge assimilation of unlinked facts; it aims at developing deep disciplinary understanding, transformative knowledge, personal meaning, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity and metacognitive skills. Meaningful learning occurs when learning is active, constructive, intentional, authentic, and cooperative. Technology enhanced teaching and learning methods should prove their potential to transform life-long learning provision and facilitate the achievement of deep and meaningful learning. In the context of distance education in life-long learning, one important challenge is the design of versatile quality assurance strategies for e-training. Based on the experiences in U P E C L -Long Learning (KEDIVIM) the authors present how the principles and attributes of deep and meaningful learning can be combined with project management in practice and be incorporated in an e-Learning quality strategy. We present i) the methods used to assess the quality of the e-Learning programmes, ii) key findings of the evaluation process and iii) first research evaluation results on the quality of learning. This research study on learning process quality was conducted by learning methods such as collaborative learning. Some results of the evaluation indicate that the e-Learning quality strategy led to e-L deep and meaningful learning.

This paper examines the use of sound in designing and structuring the gameplay of Audio-Based games. The classification into different categories and the discussion of existing techniques conclude that there are issues that need to be dealt with: the conflict between a strict system of rules and free improvisation, the sonic description of visual elements and the limited educational role. A brief outline of the work-in-project AudioBased Role-Playing-Game 'Kronos' suggests how a game can be merged with an instrument on an educational basis.

Augmented Reality Audio Games (ARAG) enrich the physical world with virtual sounds to express their content and mechanics. Existing ARAG implementations have focused on exploring the surroundings and navigating to virtual sound sources as the main mode of interaction. This paper suggests that gestural activity with a handheld device can realize complex modes of sonic interaction in the augmented environment, resulting in an enhanced immersive game experience. The ARAG “Audio Legends” was designed and tested to evaluate the usability and immersion of a system featuring an exploration phase based on auditory navigation, as well as an action phase, in which players aim at virtual sonic targets and wave the device to hit them or hold the device to block them. The results of the experiment provide evidence that players are easily accustomed to auditory navigation and that gestural sonic interaction is perceived as difficult, yet this does not affect negatively the system’s usability and players’ immersion. Findings also include indications that elements, such as sound design, the synchronization of sound and gesture, the fidelity of audio augmentation, and environmental conditions, also affect significantly the game experience, whereas background factors, such as age, sex, and game or music experience, do not have any critical impact.

Audio-Games (AGs) are electronic games that feature partially or completely auditory interfaces to express the game's plot and mechanics. The required concentration on sonic information makes AGs a suitable medium not only for entertainment, but also for education on (and not limited to) music and sound studies curricula. This paper presents a novel educational AG entitled Kronos that implements a role-playing scenario to facilitate the sonification of the relevant curriculum and to create an educational platform that combines an audio-based gaming environment with a musical instrument. In that process a methodology suggested by the authors has been used. The sonic symbols assigned to create the game's narrative content will be explained and future developments will be mentioned.