Examining the Design Characteristics of Mnemonics Serious Games on the App Stores: A Systematic Heuristic Review
Source abstract
Abstract
Research shows mnemonics promote knowledge retention in different contexts; hence, they are increasingly being used in serious games aimed to support long-term learning while providing “edutainment.” However, there is limited research on their effectiveness. As such, we conducted a systematic review of 32 mnemonics mobile apps and evaluated them using two established frameworks from the literature. Our analysis revealed that most of the games teach language or medicine, take the form of puzzles or quizzes, and feature acronyms and/or images, with players rating them at least three out of five stars on average. All 32 apps supported feedback, interactivity, and challenge. A few supported agency, identity and self-presence, while many did not support key characteristics such as social and spatial presences. The overall finding indicates a need to create a mnemonics-based and tailored framework to guide the design of mnemonics games in the future to make them more effective.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Educational Games and Gamification · Augmented Reality Applications · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Funding
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
References (81)
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