Summary​
QuizJam is an educational VR game developed for teachers and students. The goal for the game was to create an environment where teachers are able to accessibly write a quiz, and implement them in the game for students to play. The results of the student can be saved and shared via traditional methods without use of extra dashboards/programs.

The game is based on the theory of Active Learning. During the pandemic, many of students with learning disabilities were starting to fall behind on their respective studies and their peers. As my tasks on other projects were completed, my supervisors asked me (in august 2021) to workshop a solution where students were able to learn theoretical material in an engaging way.

QuizJam screenshot

Concept phase
In my concepting process I came up with a skeeball machine and a screen with questions and answers. They would answer a question by rolling a ball in a hole that corresponded with an answer. Through feedback I iterated this into a basketball court with four baskets and a sport-like scoreboard. The core mechanic and gameplay loop did not change, it was still required to get a ball inside of a designated area to answer a question. However, the reasoning for this change is that the concept of basketball is globally better understood than that of skeeball. 

first version of QuizJam

Flowchart of starting the game to end/Example quiz screenshot

Game process
The process of writing a quiz is simple, all you need is a spreadsheet program. The teacher is able to create an unlimited amount of multiple choice questions. Each question must contain one correct- and false-answer and can have up to 3 false answers in total. The game will read the chosen file and implement the questions for the student to answer.

When the player starts the game they are placed in a New-Yorkesque environment. They are presented with curved screen that serves as a diegetic UI with all the necessary information. A ball and four baskets are placed around the player corresponding with a colour and a letter. The UI will present the player with a question, and the player has to answer the question by throwing the ball in the corresponding basket. There are two separate types of scores that the player can earn; one for throwing the ball in the vicinity of correct basket, earning them a "correct answer score". And a score for throwing the basket in the net. Systems are in place that will randomise the answers every time the game is played, therefore it is impossible for a student to learn what basket corresponds with what answer.

Feedback​
​​Feedback is an important aspect of QuizJam, it is necessary for the player to understand what is happening in the game ("classic game feedback", i.e. sounds, triggers, effects). The player must also process and reflect on the theoretical material that the teacher wishes them to study. This is done on in five different moments inside the game:

1. When the player is presented with a question and answers
2. When the game gives feedback if the player has answered correctly
3. Post game on the result screen
4. When the player can reflect on their saved results (on the computer or as hand out)
5. When the teacher/instructor discusses the results with the student

This ensures that there are ample scenarios where the student can absorb the material and process it. This is in stark contrast with "regular" book and text heavy learning experiences, where students (especially those with learning disabilities) need a lot of focus.

Player Accessibility
It is important for QuizJam to be as accessible as possible to a wide range of players, as the main audience are students and not "gamers". My design choices mainly focused on the less technical capable people. Therefore I have limited VR controls, button inputs and complex UI's. The first menu presents clear a concise three step instruction on how to load a quiz and start it. The only interaction the player can have in VR is with the ball thus limiting complex gameplay loops, all buttons and teleport interactions are disabled as testing showed it confused players and took away focus from the learning experience. Movement is facilitated by the player itself as the VR.Cade (Specialised VR classroom of The Landstede Groep) provides enough space to safely move around.

People playing QuizJam

Future
Quizjam has been released for use within the Landstede Groep organisation. It has been received well by students and teachers. My current responbility for QuizJam is post release support. And I have been tasked with creating a second scenario: archery.

Details

• Educational VR game
• Team size: 1
• My roles: Design, development, art, project management
• Release: 2022
• Published for use inside Landstede Groep educational Organization

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