Piloting Games

In Romania the piloting games phase has consisted of 2 different approaches:

1. Independent testing – teachers pointed students to the source page of the games https://ilearn4health.eu/digital-educational-games/. Students logged in individually from home and then completed the evaluation questionnaire. There were 23 pupils aged between 6 and 12.
2. Class testing – The teachers connected via virtual board in the classroom to the project webpage and the students accessed the same simulated game via i-pads and individual tablets.

The games were tested by 372 students as follows:

• 71 students in the 6 – 7 age group (3 classes from 3 schools in Bucharest)
• 26 students in the age group 7 – 8 years (1 class – School no. 194 Bucharest)
• 123 pupils in the age group 8 – 10 years (5 classes – School nr. 165, School no. 194, School no. 190, School no. 114 Bucharest)
• 136 pupils in the age group 11 – 12 years (5 classes – School no. 165, School nr. 194, School no. 190, School no. 114 Bucharest)
• 16 pupils in the age group 12 years (School no. 114 Bucharest)

The most accessed game was  Accidents and Stereotypes targeting children aged 8 – 10, taking into account these games aim to enhance critical thinking skills, helping children avoid dangerous situations and recognize stereotypical beliefs. Classroom discussions following gameplay highlight a faster understanding of concepts, especially on stereotypes, increased attention and concentration of pupils in understanding concepts, the game element makes them more interested in learning about abstract concepts such as stereotypes.

The topic about Internet was the most accessed by children aged 11 – 12, since it addresses children who are starting to use the internet more independently. The objective of the teachers to make the students responsible on usage, self-protection, and respect for others, and also to ensure they do not expose themselves or others to harm was achieved according with the feedback received from teachers after classroom discussion. The least accessed was Sexual Health topic is designed for students aged 12, only 1 teacher and 16 students approached it.