Evaluation of Usability and Gameplay of Games on Mobile Platforms for Young People on Oncological Treatment

Abstract

This paper presents a method to evaluate usability and gameplay efficiency for educational games developed for children undergoing cancer treatment, as well as a case study involving the game “Corrida Gramatical”. The methodology of this paper consists of the use of tablets by patients aged 10 to 15 years old to evaluate and quantify the usability and gameplay of the game, while the process is documented through non-participant observation, a System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The proposed method has proved to be supportive in the evaluation of existing educational games, considering the participants of the research, as well as in the improvement of the game by analyzing the flaws identified in the game design. For future studies, we intend to change the inclusion criteria to select a larger group of patients and reaffirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Learning and Well-being in Educational Practices with Children and Adolescents Undergoing Cancer Treatment

“…All these elements were analyzed in relation to how or how much the use of mobile devices, applications, digital games, and pedagogical practices provided the elements. In the Fun aspect, it is perceived that for the patient undergoing cancer treatment, the pleasure generated by playing games using a tablet contributes to ease the stress and stigmas of the disease [3,18]. As for Interactivity, interaction via tablet is constant and fast and information is received and sent automatically.…”

“…Thus, in the area of health [10][11][12][13][14] there has been a growth in the development of applications and software with the purpose of contributing to the training and performance of doctors, nurses and health agents [15][16][17]. Technology, allied to health and education, can help the well-being and quality of life of subjects in different contexts, such as childhood cancer [17,18].…”

“…School represents an important social space for the child's development. School withdrawal is a consequence of cancer that can cause problems and generate uncertainty in patients, which can produce harmful effects to their treatment [18]. By using technologies to learn, young people again faced with a culture of which they are part and with which they identify, contributing to their quality of life.…”

Learning and Well-Being in Educational Practices with Children and Adolescents Undergoing Cancer Treatment

“…Thus, in the area of health [10][11][12][13][14], there has been a growth in the development of applications and software with the purpose of contributing to the training and performance of doctors, nurses and health agents [15][16][17]. Technology, allied to health and education, can help the well-being and quality of life of subjects in different contexts, such as childhood cancer [17,18].…”

“…School represents an important social space for the child's development. School withdrawal is a consequence of cancer that can cause problems and generate uncertainty in patients, which can produce harmful effects to their treatment [18]. By using technologies to learn, young people are again faced with the culture of which they are a part and with which they identify, contributing to their quality of life.…”