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Computer-Based Edutainment for Children Aged 3 to 5 Years Old

Computer-Based Edutainment for Children Aged 3 to 5 Years Old
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Author(s): Man-Ying Cheung (Monash University, Australia), Koon-Ying Raymond Li (Monash University, Australia)and Tim Zapart (Monash University, Australia)
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 4
Source title: Emerging Trends and Challenges in Information Technology Management
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-019-6.ch071
ISBN13: 9781616921286
EISBN13: 9781466665361

Abstract

Research indicates that children learn best while playing games. Edutainment is a term describing a computer environment where learning and playing takes place simultaneously. Game based edutainment applications, therefore, should benefit a child in his/her learning process. Young children of age 3 to 5 are often deprived of this wonderful learning opportunity as the design of traditional computer interfaces such as keyboard and mouse are not suitable for them. This research proposes the use of speech technology to address the interface issue. The prototype system developed in this project can be used by future researchers to investigate the suitability of using voice command interface for the targeted group of children. Furthermore, the prototype should provide an opportunity for researchers to conduct experiments to establish whether a young child of that age can actually understand virtual objects in 3D context and manage to use a first person game to experience problem solving by trial and error. The findings from experiments conducted using the prototype should provide valuable information to help educationists in the future to develop 3D edutainment applications suitable for 3 to 5 years old children.

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