Designing Computer Games in Children To Measure Skills

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Bio-Data

• Tycoon-based game, modeled after the successful Lemonade Stand

• Maximum time of game play is 10 minutes

• Objective is to measure 5 skills quantitatively

Problem Solving Skills

• Focusing on a Problem

• Research

• Teamwork

• Presentation Skills

• Document

Focusing on a Problem

1. Defining the problem by providing cogent, concise descriptions

Research

1. Filter useful information from useless information

2. Looking at the big picture and making objective decisions

3. Know what information is necessary to solve the problems

Teamwork

1. Recognizes team’s strengths and weaknesses to optimize team performance

2. Listen, be open-minded and achieve a compromise in event of conflict

Presentation Skills

1. Selecting the most easily understood, cogent and clear message to put across to others

Documentation Skills

• Using relevant and concise information

• Selecting the appropriate graphics to add aesthetic appeal

• Presenting well-organized and simple layout of information

In the beginning,

Lucy is about to set up her own business to provide technical support and advice to her customers who experience problems with their computers.

This is the first time Lucy is setting up her business, so she will have to choose two partners to work with. She has to start recruiting. A selection of 5 advertisements are made available, and Lucy has to choose one job recruitment advertisement (Presentation Skills—Each advert will have points allocated to it; best advert get more points)

Point System—Presentation 20%

Job Advertisement PointsHi! I run a computer trouble-shooting and consult business, and am looking for a partner who can provide me advice on how to solve anti-virus software problems. Previous experience is necessary.

5

… 4… 3… 2Hi! I run a computer business and need you to join me! 1

Total: (Score/5) X 20% (eg. A full score of 5 gives 20%)

Job Advertisements

Job Advertisement Points

Hi! I run a computer software trouble-shooting and consult business, and am looking for two partners who can provide me advice on how to solve anti-virus software problems. Previous experience in technical support is preferred

5

Hi! I run a computer business specializing in virus malware detection, anti-fraud phishing software development, and need two computer technicians who are trained in McAffee 3.0 and Marra-Virus software Version 1.8.

4

Hi! I run a computer trouble-shooting business which solves software problems people like you and me may face. Our value proposition is to offer low-cost solutions to our customers’ problems in order to stay competitive. Join me to help provide the best to our customers!

3

Hi! I run an awesome computer business that charges a much lower rate than other services such as AIG Troubleshooting. Want to join my cool business and help our customers solve their problems? Want to help me as I make my business into the Fortune 500 list?

2

Hi! I run a computer business and need you to join me! You will provide me advice on how to solve problems I might face! 1

People will respond. They will ask FOUR questions about the business and the problem Lucy is facing; i.e. not enough business, and the gamer has to choose from various multiple-choice options. Fun and humorous phrasing of the questions will help to increase the interactiveness of the game.

(Focusing on the Problem—There is a best, good, average and poor answer to each question)

Point System—Focus on Problem 20%

Questions Range of PointsTell me why people will want to buy from you?

1. Because I can solve my customers problems even though I am a kid.

2. Because I run a un-biased business

3. Because I run a un-biased business and solve customers’ problems at a fraction of the cost

4. Because I am a kid and they should help a kid

1-43

2

4

1

… 1-4

… 1-4

… 1-4

Total: (Total Score/16)X20%

Questions

Questions Points

Tell me why people will want to buy from you?

1. Because I can solve my customers problems even though I am a kid.

2. Because I run a un-biased business

3. Because I run a un-biased business and solve customers’ problems at a fraction of the cost

4. Because I am a kid and they should help a kid

3

2

4

1

What is the work environment like?

1. I offer a great deal of flexibility when it comes to solving the customers’ problems, and you will have your say when it comes to making business decisions.

2. I have developed a comprehensive step-by-step manual (Standard Operating Protocol) for you to follow, and you will have to adhere to the rules.

3. I am in full control of the business, so you will work according to my preferences; if I ask you to do something, you should get it done.

4. I will listen to your decisions and follow it, so that we can work well together as a team

4

2

1

3

A total of ten prospective partners are available for her to choose from:– Tom– Lucas– Macy– Rose– Elizabeth– James– Simon– Amanda– Nicholas– Victor

All these prospective partners have their strengths and weaknesses, with some overlapping qualities, though no two partner will have the same quality. Based on the decisions the gamer makes, points will be allocated. It would be best if she chooses partners who have contrasting strengths and weaknesses, so that they make up for one another.

(Teamwork—Points allocated according to combination of partners selected)

Point System—Teamwork 10%

Each partner’s strengths make up for the other partner’s weakness

4

Partners have different strengths and weaknesses altogether.

3

Partners have same strength and weaknesses

2

Partners cannot work together as a team

1

Total: (Score/4) X 10%

During the game, the Lucy’s partners will provide conflicting instructions. (All partners have prior experience in entrepreneurship.) The gamer will then have to decide whose instructions to follow, or to do according to his/her own way.

(Teamwork—Points will be allocated for those who adopt a compromise between both partners)

Point System—Teamwork 10%

Compromise reached 3

Follows either one of the partner’s advice

2

Acts on her own will 1

Total: (Score/3) X 10%

Lucy will wants to expand her business so she plans to apply for a financial loan from the banks. However, there are many financial plans available and these financial plans have “lucrative” deals such as free upgrades so she will have to assess and sort out which financial plan best suits her.

Each financial package offers different sums of money; the more money available, the more upgrades Lucy can have. The catch, however, is the higher interest rates. (Research—Looking at all the financial packages and filtering out all the useless gimmicks before making a decision. The better few packages will be purposely placed at the end of the “catalogue”)

Point System—Research 20%

Package Points$50,000 for computer training, online advertising campaigns and referral programs (Interest 5%) 5

… 4$20,000 for advertising campaigns (Interest 2%) 3

… 2$120,000 for full equipment upgrades, renting of business premises, hiring of staff, print and online advertising campaigns. (Interest 12%)

1

Total: (Score/5) X 20%

Lucy will then create an advertisement pamphlet for her customers. There will be a variety of phrases and graphics for her to choose from, but she has limited designing space.

(Document—Points will be allocated to concise, relevant and accurate information as well as useful graphics chosen.)

Point System—Document 20%

Advert Description Points

Taglines used 1-4

Graphics used 1-4

Amount of content 1-4

Relevance of content 1-4

Aesthetic appeal 1-4

Total: (Score/20) X 20%

In order to develop a game which amalgamates the fun element, with the test element, we will introduce a parallel point system.

Test + Fun = Game

Parallel Point System

Purpose:

To introduce an uncertainty dimension to the game without affecting the measuring accuracy of the skills, whilst incorporating a ‘fun’ factor.

Parallel Point System

During game play, two sets of points will be recorded:

1. The Displayed Score—This is what gamers will see when playing the game.

2. The Hidden Score—This is what we will record quantitatively behind the scenes, and will provide an accurate measure of the children skills.

The Hidden Score

The Hidden Score will be according to the stipulated point system explained earlier, which constitutes the quantitative results of skills measurement.

The Displayed Score

The Displayed Score = The Hidden Score + Uncertainty Dimension

Uncertainty Dimension

Lucy’s computer business offers trouble-shooting services. Naturally, she requires equipment to help her customers.

The equipment undergo wear and tear, and fail occasionally.

Uncertainty Dimension

The state of Lucy’s equipment is unpredictable, and she has to constantly remember to maintain her equipment or else the equipment will fail, causing her business to stagnate.

Occasionally, the equipment might fail on its own and

a. Lucy’s revenue comes to a standstill. (if the uncertainty dimension is not to lead to further game play)

b. Lucy has to respond to unhappy customers who were turned down (if the uncertainty demension is to lead to further game play and evaluation of skills)