The Design of a Novel Digital Puzzle Gaming System for Young Children’s Learning by Interactive Multi-Sensing and Tangible User Interfacing Techniques

Abstract

In the fast-developing digital era, improving young children’s learning abilities by information technology has become a goal of early childhood education. Accordingly, a novel digital puzzle gaming system for young children’s learning is proposed, which is based on interactive multi-sensing and tangible user interfacing techniques. Three childhood education factors—digital learning, puzzle gaming, and interactive interfacing—are considered in the system design. Firstly, the needs in the development of the physical and mental functions, as well as the cognition and learning capabilities, of children aged 4–6 years are reviewed. Next, the existing studies of digital gaming for education are analyzed. Then, the proposed system was constructed to combine visual, auditory, and animation interfaces for easy uses by young children. The effectiveness of the system for young children’s learning was evaluated statistically using the SPSS based on the users’ and experts’ opinions collected from the methods of behavior observation, interview, and questionnaire survey. Several facts about young children’s learning have been found: (1) simple tangible interfaces can bring forth good gaming experiences to children; (2) rich visual and sound effects can enhance game-playing pleasures; (3) digital puzzle gaming have positive impacts on learning in early childhood education. In conclusion, the design of a digital puzzle gaming system like the proposed one with simple and physical interactive interfacing can bring forth a good gaming experience to children, and rich visual and sound effects can enhance the game-playing pleasure, indicating that digital puzzle gaming has a positive impact on young children’s learning in early childhood education.