Design and evaluation of a gamified system for ERP training

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) facilitate the flow of information within a company by storing data in common databases. These systems offer a holistic view of the organization because they reduce information redundancy, offer information in real time, help with process standardization, and improve information flow and communication among employees. Nevertheless, the benefits attributed to an ERP implementation can be lost without an effective user training. Previous studies have observed that common training mechanisms don't provide meaningful learning to users, and that user satisfaction rates range from neutral to low. Therefore, in this paper we study the effects that gamification has on ERP training concerning user learning and user satisfaction. Gamification is the use of game elements and game design techniques in non-gaming environments. Several applications prove that gamified systems increase user engagement and performance. Our hypotheses were that a gamified system for ERP training improve user learning and user satisfaction levels during the training period. To test our hypotheses, we designed and evaluated a gamified system. The results showed that users trained using a gamified system performed better than those trained using a conventional, non-gamified, training mechanism.     

Gamification Solutions to Enhance Software User Engagement—A Systematic Review

Gamification is the use of video-game mechanics and elements in nongame contexts to enhance user engagement and performance. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review to have an in-depth investigation into the existing gamification solutions targeted at solving user engagement problems in different categories of software. We carried out this systematic review by proposing a framework of gamifying process, which is the basis for comparison of existing gamification solutions. In order to report the review, the primary studies are categorized according to the following: a) gamified software and their platforms; b) elements of the gamifying process; c) gamification solutions in each software type; d) gamification solutions for software user engagement problems; e) gamification solutions in general; and f) effects of gamification on software user engagement and performance. Based on the search procedure and criteria, a total of 78 primary studies were extracted. Most of the studies focused on educational and social software, which were developed for web or mobile platforms. We concluded that the number of studies on motivating users to use software content, solving problems in learning software, and using real identity is very limited. Furthermore, few studies have been carried out on gamifying the following software categories: productivity software, cloud storage, utility software, entertainment software, search engine software, tool software, fitness software, software engineering, information worker software, and health-care software. In addition, a large number of gamification solutions are relatively simple and require improvement. Thus, for future studies, researchers can work on the items discovered in this review; they can improve the quality of the current gamified systems by using a wide variety of game mechanics and interface elements, utilizing a combination of contextual types of rewards and giving users the ability to use received rewards “in-game” and “out-game.”     

Overcoming the novelty effect in online gamified learning systems: An empirical evaluation of student engagement and performance

Learners in the higher education context who engage with computer-based gamified learning systems often experience the novelty effect: a pattern of high activity during the gamified system's introduction followed by a drop in activity a few weeks later, once its novelty has worn off. We applied a two-tiered motivational, online gamified learning system over 2 years to a total number of 333 students. In a mixed methods research design, we used 3-year worth of longitudinal data (333 students for the treatment group and 175 in the control group) to assess students' engagement and performance in that period. Quantitative results established that students engaged and performed better in the gamified condition vis-à-vis the nongamified. Furthermore, students exhibited higher levels of engagement in the second year compared with the first year of the gamified condition. Our qualitative data suggest that students in the second year of the gamified delivery exhibited sustained engagement, overcoming the novelty effect. Thus, our main contribution is in suggesting ways of making the engagement meaningful and useful for the students, thus sustaining their engagement with computer-based gamified learning systems and overcoming the novelty effect.     

Examining the Effectiveness of Gamification in Human Computation

Within the human computation paradigm, gamification is increasingly gaining interest. This is because an enjoyable experience generated by game features can be a powerful approach to attract participants. Although potentially useful, little research has been conducted into understanding the effectiveness of gamification in human computation. In this experimental study, we operationalized effectiveness as perceived engagement and user acceptance and examined it by comparing the performance of a gamified human computation system against a non-gamified version. We also investigate the determinants of acceptance and how their effects differ between these two systems. Analysis of our data found that participants experienced more engagement and showed higher behavioral intentions toward the gamified system. Moreover, perceived output quality and perceived engagement were significant determinants of acceptance of the gamified system. In contrast, determinants for acceptance of the non-gamified system were perceived output quality and perceived usability.     

Gamification: A framework for designing software in e-banking

The gamification software development gave emphasis to the role played by the users to test and improve the software. This study presents a framework for software gamified in e-banking, taking a users' groups and a qualitative research approach, to check the users' design preferences in five cases of banking software gamified (Futebank, Dreams, Galaxy, Olympics, and Warrants). After software presentation, and usage experience, 53 participants, responses to a survey with six open questions. The data were analyzed through a text semantic software, to detect and classify lexical items in, accordance, with standard of software quality characteristics and user experiences. Two primary categories were identified, as well five dimensions in each element and characteristic categories. The results show five characteristic dimensions (design, appearance, functionality, rules, and objectives) and five element dimension (game, product, security, process, and information). These findings provide a framework for web designers and e-business, highlighting the most important software features when dealing with serious applications with game design. It adds value to the current literature on understanding the customer relationship with the game and the financial product, identifying new dimensions (game and product) on the approach of thinking and design gamification in e-banking. Our finding contributes to a better understanding of key elements and characteristics in e-banking software design and has important practical implications for software development and marketing practices. Thoughts on the users' software design preferences identified, should propel increase adoption and attractiveness of online banking.     

Model-driven architecture-centric engineering of (embedded) software intensive systems: modeling theories and architectural milestones

Today, in general, embedded software is distributed onto networks and structured into logical components that interact asynchronously by exchanging messages. The software system is connected to sensors, actuators, human machine interfaces and networks. In this paper we study fundamental models of composed embedded software systems and their properties, identify and describe various basic views, and show how they are related. We consider, in particular, models of data, states, interfaces, functionality, hierarchically composed systems, and processes. We study relationships by abstraction and refinement as well as forms of composition and modularity. In particular, we introduce a comprehensive mathematical model and a corresponding mathematical theory for composed systems, its essential views and their relationships. We introduce two methodologically essential, complementary and orthogonal concepts for the structured modeling of multifunctional embedded systems in software and systems engineering and their scientific foundation. One approach addresses mainly tasks in requirements engineering and the specification of the comprehensive user functionality of multifunctional systems in terms of their functions, features and services. The other approach essentially addresses the design phase with its task to develop logical architectures formed by networks of interactive components that are specified by their interface behavior.     

Enhancing User Engagement through Gamification

Gamification—the use of game elements in non-game contexts—is gaining interest among researchers and practitioners. How gamification enhances user engagement, though, remains unclear, largely due to the lack of a theoretical framework. To narrow the theory gap, this study develops a theoretical model, which draws on cognitive evaluation theory to explain the effects of game dynamics on user engagement, and tests it using data collected from 164 users of a gamified information system. The results reveal that gamification enhances user engagement through the mediation of psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) between game dynamics and enjoyment. The results suggest that gamification should go beyond merely providing fun and enjoyment; gamification should also generate diverse game dynamics, such as rewards, competition, altruism, and self-expression in a way that helps people to satisfy their psychological needs. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the success of gamification.     

Intelligent human interface based on mental cloning-based software

This paper reports on our experience in adapting emotional experiences of the software engineers in the evolutionary design of software systems. This paper represents the progress report on the development relative to the state of art needed to have multidisciplinary technologies for establishing the best harmonica engagement between human user and software application, based on cognitive analysis. The best performance related engagement has been achieved using together both the facial and voice analysis. And through it, we have measured (collectivized and quantified) and observed the user behavior, and accordingly enhanced the engagement by generative interactive scenario. The approach has been experimented using a famous literature person (Keni Miyazawa).     

Designing interactive systems through a game lens: An ethnographic approach

This research has the aim to find new meaningful elements, in the video game world, that could inspire the design of novel gamified systems. Starting from the players’ point of view, I looked at the field of the Massively Multi Player Online Role-Playing Games as a source of inspiration, conducting an ethnographic study in World of Warcraft. Thus, drawing on the findings gathered in my empirical work, I identified 9 recommendations to suggest new directions for the gamification design of interactive systems. Some of these recommendations are devised to suit the applications that pivot on user social participation. Others are aimed at imagining new forms of online communities. Others address those interactive systems that aim at changing user behaviors. These recommendations, by suggesting to support the development of intrinsic motivations, proposing new and diversified game elements and recommending to look at systemic design strategies, aim at addressing the limits of the current gamification techniques. At the high grade of abstraction they are left, they are meant to be applied to different fields.     

HCI ‘Intraface Model’ for System Design

We outline an alternative model of the interface in HCI, the ‘intraface’, in response to design issues arising from navigational and learning problems in hypertext domains. Ours is a model of general application to computer systems. It is composed of four key elements, identifiable within a dynamic interconnected context. These are the user; his/her interests; the tools employed and the ‘ensemble’ of representations brought to bear. In this paper we sketch the present shortcomings of HCI design before outlining the background for the model which draws upon two themes in contemporary psychology, conversational analysis and ‘affordance’ realist theories in perception. This framework allows for the development of principles of cooperation, user engagement and learning in HCI environments.     

Publication trends in gamification: A systematic mapping study

The term gamification and gamified systems are a trending area of research. However, gamification can indicate several different things, such as applying the game-like elements into the design of the user interface of a software, but not all gamification is necessarily associated with software products. Overall, it is unclear what different aspects are studied under the umbrella of ‘gamification’, and what is the current state of the art in the gamification research. In this paper, 1164 gamification studies are analyzed and classified based on their focus areas and the research topics to establish what the research trends in gamification are. Based on the results, e-learning and proof-of-concept studies in the ecological lifestyle and sustainability, assisting computer science studies and improving motivation are the trendiest areas of gamification research. Currently, the most common types of research are the proof-of-concept studies, and theoretical works on the different concepts and elements of gamification.     

Visualizing protected variations in evolving software designs

Identifying and tracking evolving software structures at a design level is a challenging task. Although there are ways to visualize this information statically, there is a need for methods that help analyzing the evolution of software design elements. In this paper, we present a new visual approach to identify variability zones in software designs and explore how they evolve over time. To verify the usefulness of our approach, we did a user study in which participants had to browse software histories and find visual patterns. Most participants were able to find interesting observations and found our approach intuitive and useful. We present a number of design aspects that were observed by participants and the authors using our IHVis tool on four open-source projects.     

DIDS: rapidly prototyping configuration design systems

The domain independent design system (DIDS) provides a set of tools for rapidly constructing new configuration design systems from a library of reusable software elements called mechanisms. A DIDS user begins by creating a model of the problem domain and the task to be automated. This includes describing a library of parts from which new artifacts could be configured, optimization and preference criteria, and functionality constraints. DIDS analyzes this input and automatically builds an operational prototype system by selecting and combining mechanisms. DIDS' ability to automate this process is derived from its model of configuration design, which enables reusable mechanisms to be identified and automatically selected based on a problem's characteristics. The use of DIDS is illustrated by showing how DIDS solved an elevator-configuration problem.     

Playing seriously – How gamification and social cues influence bank customers to use gamified e-business applications

The development of business applications with game features has given rise to a new trend called gamification and challenged e-banking to introduce new game elements, such as mechanics and social cues, to its traditional applications. Yet, there has been a lack of empirical evidence regarding the intention to use, these type of applications and their possible impacts on business. Here, we explore the role of gamification, socialness, and other four well-known variables (ease-of-use, usefulness, enjoyment, and intention to use) in a gamified business application and corresponding business. We proposed and evaluated a model based on the Technology Acceptance Model to better analyze and understand the adoption of gamified business applications. To test this model, we developed a study using a sample of 183 bank customers, and we found that gamification significantly improved the customer’s sense of social interaction, which, in turn, strongly influenced the customer’s intention to use the applications. We argue that this intention to use could provide a strong benefit to the business, in term of increased customer engagement. This paper presents a new conceptual model to predict behavioral intention in regards to gamification in e-banking, illustrating seven variables that affect the adoption of e-banking by bank customers. Our findings contribute overall to a better understanding of gamification in e-banking (with the extension of Technology Acceptance Model theories, and the new variable gamification), providing important practical implications for software development and marketing practices.     

The influence of image interactivity upon user engagement when using mobile touch screens

Touch screens are a key component of consumer mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, as well as an increasingly common self-service component of information retrieval on fixed screens and mobile devices in-store. The ubiquity of touch screens in daily life increases consumer accessibility and extended use for shopping, whilst software innovations have increased the functionality of touch screens, for example the extent to which images respond to fingertip control. This study examines how users engage with interactive visual rotation and tactile simulation features while browsing fashion clothing products on touch screen devices and thus contributes to retail touch screen research that previously focused on in-store kiosks and window displays. Findings show that three dimensions of user engagement (endurability, novelty and felt involvement) are positively influenced by both forms of manipulation. In order to examine the extent to which touch screen user engagement varies with individual preferences for an in-store experience, the paper also examines whether user engagement outcomes are mediated by an individual's need for physical touch. Findings indicate that the need for touch does not explain the variance between individuals. We conclude that touch screen technology complements the physical retail environment.     

Assessing the effects of gamification in the classroom: A longitudinal study on intrinsic motivation,social comparison,satisfaction, effort,and academic performance

Gamification, the application of game elements to non-game settings, continues to grow in popularity as a method to increase student engagement in the classroom. We tested students across two courses, measuring their motivation, social comparison, effort, satisfaction, learner empowerment, and academic performance at four points during a 16-week semester. One course received a gamified curriculum, featuring a leaderboard and badges, whereas the other course received the same curriculum without the gamified elements. Our results found that students in the gamified course showed less motivation, satisfaction, and empowerment over time than those in the non-gamified class. The effect of course type on students' final exam scores was mediated by students' levels of intrinsic motivation, with students in the gamified course showing less motivation and lower final exam scores than the non-gamified class. This suggests that some care should be taken when applying certain gamification mechanics to educational settings.     

课件制作中的问题及对策

Authorware是一款功能强大的多媒体制作软件。它以流程线和设计图标为基本元素的设计结构及可视化的操作界面深受广大教师喜爱,成为目前教学中的主流多媒体开发软件。本人拥有多年的Authorware使用经验,现以Authorware7.0为例,把课件制作中容易出现的问题及解决方法形成文字,和大家共同探讨。以提高我们一线教师制作多媒体课件的技术水平。     

Enabling control software generation by using mechatronics modeling primitives

Mechatronic systems are characterized by the synergetic integration of mechanic, electronic, software and control design aspects. The development of control software requires data and information from all design domains in order to create the required integrated functionality. This paper proposes a method that combines function modeling and multi-domain modeling primitives to generate control software automatically. An architecture model, based on the Function-Behavior-State modeling paradigm, provides the decomposition and flow of both functionality and implementation, which serves as input to a knowledge-based engineering application. The control software is subsequently extracted from a virtual product model composed of instantiated modeling primitives. A case study of a mobile robot shows how for a specific application the modeling are defined and how a high-level function model for an environment mapping mission is translated into directly implementable software code. This approach could be extended to real-life mechatronic products, and will improve consistency and reduce development time and cost.     

Gamified monetary reward designs: Offering certain versus chance-based rewards

To motivate visitors to engage with websites, e-tailers widely employ monetary rewards (e.g., vouchers, discounts) in their website designs. With advances in user interface technologies, many e-tailers have started to offer gamified monetary reward designs (MRDs), which require visitors to earn the monetary reward by playing a game, rather than simply claiming the reward. However, little is known about whether and why gamified MRDs engage visitors compared to their non-gamified counterpart. Even less is known about the effectiveness of gamified MRDs when providing certain or chance-based rewards, in that visitors do or do not know what reward they will gain for successfully performing in the game. Drawing on cognitive evaluation theory, we investigate gamified MRDs with certain or chance-based rewards and contrast them to non-gamified MRDs with certain rewards in user registration systems. Our results from a multi-method approach encompassing the complementary features of a randomised field experiment (N = 651) and a randomised online experiment (N = 330) demonstrate differential effects of the three investigated MRDs on user registration. Visitors encountering either type of gamified MRD are more likely to register than those encountering a non-gamified MRD. Moreover, gamified MRDs with chance-based rewards have the highest likelihood of user registrations. We also show that MRDs have distinct indirect effects on user registration via anticipated experiences of competence and sensation. Overall, the paper offers theoretical insights and practical guidance on how and why gamified MRDs are effective for e-tailers.     

导向标识系统的个性化设计研究

导向标识系统在我们日常生活中是最常见最直观的城市空间元素。标识作为环境信息传达的载体,包含信息传达的有效性,设置的合理性与安全性几方面的内容。个性化设计已经是设计流行的趋势之一,标识系统的个性化即是在设计中注入的情感的、心理的、历史文化的、环境特色和谐的因素,从而使设计在发挥标识作用的同时,能给人带来或轻松愉快或亲切温馨或其他想不到的心理感受和体验。