The integration of Serious Games and Gamification in educational environments has emerged as a highly effective paradigm to enhance student motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes. From a Computer Engineering perspective, the design, development, and evaluation of these digital solutions require a rigorous, multidisciplinary approach. This internship aligns with the growing global need to innovate pedagogical methodologies through applied technology and advanced software engineering research. The core scientific challenge lies in engineering interactive, game-based environments that effectively foster both transversal competencies (e.g., problem-solving, teamwork) and domain-specific knowledge (such as software engineering or digital literacy). The research context involves analyzing game mechanics, computational thinking integration, and human-computer interaction within educational frameworks. Furthermore, it emphasizes empirical validation through standardized assessment models (like MEEGA+ or structured pre/post-testing) to accurately measure software usability, user experience, and actual knowledge acquisition. The intern will actively participate in the software development and evaluation lifecycle of educational games or gamified platforms. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader academic discourse on educational technology, providing empirical evidence on how software-driven, game-based learning can sustainably transform traditional educational settings.
Depending on the specific scope of the internship, the student's responsibilities may include a selection of activities ranging from conducting state-of-the-art research and specific literature analysis on Serious Games and gamification, to participating in the technical design and software development of interactive educational platforms. Additionally, the student may assist in empirical evaluations using standardized frameworks (e.g., MEEGA+), analyze quantitative and qualitative data from user testing, and actively contribute to scientific documentation and publications.
* Research & Critical Analysis: Ability to conduct comprehensive literature reviews and critically analyze scientific trends in educational technology, Serious Games, and gamification. * Software Engineering & Prototyping: Technical skills in designing, developing, and integrating software solutions, interactive learning scenarios, and game mechanics. * Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) & UX: Practical understanding of user-centered design principles and how to apply them to improve usability and user experience in digital educational tools. * Empirical Evaluation Methodologies: Competence in designing and executing user testing protocols and applying standardized assessment frameworks (such as MEEGA+ or pre/post-questionnaires). * Data Analysis: Proficiency in gathering, processing, and interpreting both quantitative and qualitative data derived from user evaluation sessions. * Scientific Communication: Academic writing skills for documenting technical processes, drafting research reports, and contributing to scientific publications. * Transversal Competencies: Enhanced problem-solving, computational thinking, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research environment.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
