Video Game to Teach Fluid Mechanics (Work in Progress)
Video Game to Teach Fluid Mechanics (Work in Progress)
Video Game to Teach Fluid Mechanics (Work in Progress)
By Hadi Kazemiroodsari and Yetunde Folajimi
Abstract
“The use of video games in teaching can be more productive than traditional educational techniques such as reading books/notes and assigning homework. Implementing course content and assignments in video games can be an effective way of engaging students, especially students of generations Generation Z and Generation Alpha, because they already grew up in the era of technology, spending hours each day on their computers or phones. Implementing games for teaching civil engineering courses such as Soil Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics and Statics have the potential of improving learning and retention among students. Thus, a team of faculty and students from civil engineering and computer science at the authors’ university collaborated on an interdisciplinary project titled “Design of Educational Game for Fluid Mechanics” to be used within the civil engineering curriculum at the authors’ University. The game consists of a character who tries to escape from a warehouse. To accomplish this task, the main character moves from one room to another by solving fluid mechanics related problems. By nature, fluid mechanics problems, such as energy equilibrium, head loss, pump power, and buoyancy can easily be integrated as part of the storyline in a video game. The faculty and student of civil engineering major narrated scenarios, and the computer science faculty and students implemented the scenario using Unity 3D and C# programming interface. This videogame helps students to practice and learn various aspects of fluid mechanics in a more engaging and enjoyable environment. In addition, by playing the game, the student can visualize the real-life application of fluid mechanics. The original prototype was improved through iterative refinement after testing with a few play testers. The game was then used for augmenting the teaching of Fluid Mechanics course among civil engineering students in authors’ University in Fall 2021 Semester. The design process of this game, initial evaluation results, and lessons learned from the perspective of civil engineering are discussed in this paper. This paper intends to provide a framework and testbed for related civil engineering educational games in future.”
Reference
Kazemiroodsari, H., &Folajimi, Y. (2022, August 23). Video game to teach Fluid Mechanics (work in progress). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://peer.asee.org/video-game-to-teach-fluid-mechanics-work-in-progress
Keyword
Video games, educational games, fluid mechanics, students, civil engineering, research