PETucation
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Steffen Singer
PETucation: Teaching First Graders About Pet Care Through Play
In the summer semester of 2024, a team of students from Stuttgart Media University and the University of Education Weingarten came together to create an innovative educational application. This project, part of the Schule 4.0 initiative, focuses on teaching first graders how to care for pets responsibly through an interactive and engaging digital platform.
The Purpose Behind PETucation
The goal of PETucation is to introduce young children to the principles of responsible pet care in a way that is both fun and educational. By leveraging interactive mini-games, we aim to provide children with practical, hands-on experiences that are more effective than traditional methods of learning through listening or reading. Additionally, the application helps enhance the children’s digital literacy, teaching them how to navigate digital media safely and effectively. Designed specifically for classroom use, PETucation supports teachers in delivering comprehensive and engaging lessons on pet care.
How PETucation Works in the Classroom
PETucation features a learning module focused on caring for a dog named Rocky. The children are guided through this module by Lisa, a virtual mascot, who offers instructions and tips throughout the various mini-games. These games teach children how to feed, groom, and play with Rocky, with Lisa providing audio instructions to ensure accessibility for all users, including those who are not yet able to read.
The design prioritized visual simplicity, using contrasting colors. Additionally, audio feedback was incorporated to create an engaging and user-friendly interface. This design helps maintain the children’s interest and ensures they can follow along without difficulty.
Testing and Feedback
The PETucation learning unit was tested with 20 first graders, allowing them to explore the mini-games independently at their own pace. After the session, we gathered feedback from the children and their teacher. All the children enjoyed the learning unit, with 16 expressing that they enjoyed it very much. The positive feedback highlighted the educational effectiveness of the application, with the children showing great enthusiasm and interest in additional games. The classroom teacher also praised the application, noting its potential for further educational use.
Future Enhancements
As the semester progresses, the focus is on refining the user experience and addressing any issues within the mini-games to improve usability. While the initial feedback has been highly encouraging, there is a recognition of the need for continuous improvement, particularly in user navigation and game mechanics.
In summary, PETucation has provided the students with a valuable opportunity to innovate in the field of educational technology. This project allowed for the exploration of new teaching methods, a better understanding of how children learn, and the development of skills in software development and UI/UX design.
Students:
Stuttgart Media University
- Steffen Singer
- Julius Beutel
- Johanna Rauscher
- Lisa Lam
- Pascal Leyrer
- Elia Baisch
- Lucy-Ann Kolb
University of Education Weingarten
- Tabea Neubauer
- Ayla Kartal
- Dominik Socian
- Alissa Rau
- Lena Heumann
- Jelena Zec
- Vanessa Bukovsky
In cooperation with the Teichwiesenschule Korntal-Münchingen: Deborah Entenmann.
Many thanks to Prof. Dr. Ansgar R. S. Gerlicher from Stuttgart Media University and Dr. Melanie Germ from University of Education Weingarten. Special appreciation goes to Benedikt Gack and Lennart Gastler for their support and assistance throughout the project.