Design of a prototype for configuring virtual learning environments based on gamification using UWE

Abstract

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a system prototype for the configuration of Virtual Learning Environments based on Gamification. The prototype used the functional requirements derived from the analysis of a configurable and computable instructional model based on gamification elements. For development of the prototype was used the UML Web Engineering (UWE) methodology which tries to cover the complete life cycle of a Web application. This methodology proposes the development of five models. The evaluation of the prototype used at first the expert judgment technique and in a second moment the usability of the prototype was evaluated by a group of learners (students) who were asked to carry out an activity under a competitive scheme and answer an instrument that collected opinions from students based on a five-level Likert scale. The opinions in general terms were positive (in agreement or in total agreement) regarding the effort required for its use, regarding the interaction dynamics promoted to maintain the motivation and interest of the students, the response times to face the challenges as well as the benefits offered by the virtual learning environment in gamified scenarios.