The main game platforms
eMapps.com has developed 3 platforms
- The Game Repository
- The Game Desk
- GIS-based Map (GIS - Geographical Information System)
The platforms work on the web and their content can be accessed by any digital device under any telco network using web protocols. For live communication the players use a mobile ‘chat’ over the platform.
These open platforms work through multiple networks and devices ranging from GPS to phones or tablets. Web blogs, Podcasts, Videocasts are also key components of eMapps.com games. Games played on the platform are structured over 10 levels and played live using mobile devices, video, audio, and photography.
The Game Repository
Teachers use the Game Repository for holding the content that will be uploaded to the various levels of the desk game. Teachers create multimedia content: video, audio, text, and photos which are relevant to the part of the curriculum that will be the basis of the game. After being deposited in the Game Repository platform, objects can be edited and cross-linked, for instance by relating a piece of textual information to a multi-media object. When editing is complete the information and each object(s) are ready to be uploaded to the appropriate level of the Game Desk.
The Desk Game
This is the platform where the game is played. Teachers take on the role of game controller or ‘Puppet Master’ and teams of children play the game, accessing the game platform to upload the multimedia work which they produce as part of playing the game to the Game Desk . The teacher is able to continuously monitor each team’s ‘desk’ as it is maintained and updated by the teams. On the basis of a team’s success at any one level, the Puppet Master may promote them to the next level of the game.
See How the games work for a more complete explanation.
The GIS Map
Each game is played in a territory defined by vector and/or ortophoto maps.
A vector map is a map containing geometric and GIS (geographic information system) data at various levels of detail . An ortophoto is an aerial photograph that has been geometrically corrected so that the scale of the photograph is uniform.
Some games also use pre-set visual scenarios (usually photographic) which enables the locating of multimedia objects from the territory to specific points on the map, indicated by a ‘pin’ symbol. Teachers and children may do this by using UTM ( Universal Transverse Mercator ) coordinates via GPS ( Global Positioning System ). It is also possible to create routes or tracks around the territory on the map
Quest for Knowledge (QFK) - Game Based Mobile Learning
QFK is the Game Based Mobile Learning (GBML) Platform. It enables development and playing of mobile educational games. Games can be played via multimedia mobile devices (mobile phones, smart phones) or regular internet browser from the desktop computer, using WWW technologies only. Players may use additional multimedia devices, such as digital cameras, PDA's, or GPS devices. QFK was developed within the eMapps.com (Motivating Active Participation of Primary Schoolchildren in Digital Online Technologies for Creative Opportunities through Multimedia) 6th Framework Program STREP project.