Date of Award
Spring 2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Computer and Information Technology
First Advisor
David Whittinghill
Committee Member 1
Mihaela, Vorvoreanu
Committee Member 2
Victor Chen
Abstract
Interpreting raw data in serious games and simulations can be a time consuming and uninteresting task without visualizations. This study proposes one possible solution for an interface that incorporates data visualizations for Whittinghill and Nataraja's (2013) MAEGUS simulation, a serious game used to increase the retention of wind energy and solar energy concepts in students, while still being fun. After the interface was designed and developed, a think aloud usability test was conducted to answer the following research questions: how do students use a series of information visualizations to operate a multi-variate game-based simulation and what are some the usability issues the students face in the simulation? A thematic analysis was then conducted to document and organize the responses.
Recommended Citation
He, James, "USABILITY TESTING OF THE M.A.E.G.U.S. SERIOUS GAME" (2014). Open Access Theses. 187.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_theses/187