Accepted Poster
Poster Short Abstract
We present plans for a gamified mobile app for 4th–9th graders which collects real-time data during children’s free time, offering unique insights into learning and wellbeing through short tasks, questionnaires, and mini-games in different game-like environments.
Poster Abstract
Understanding the interplay between learning and wellbeing in children requires data that captures their everyday experiences in real time. To address this need, we are developing the Education Scientist mobile application, a gamified research tool designed for 4th–9th grade students. The app enables the collection of ecologically valid momentary data during children’s free time at home, offering insights into learning processes, learning difficulties, and wellbeing in naturalistic settings.
The application integrates short, engaging mini-games that serve a dual purpose: providing entertainment and unobtrusively assessing cognitive and behavioral characteristics. Complementing the games are brief, child-friendly question sets that gather contextual information on factors such as socio-emotional wellbeing, family dynamics, extracurricular activities, physical activity, school motivation, academic tasks, and digital media use.
By embedding data collection into children’s daily routines, the app facilitates a child-centered approach to research, empowering young participants while minimizing disruption to their lives. This methodology allows for the exploration of dynamic, real-world factors influencing learning and wellbeing — data that is often inaccessible through conventional survey or interview methods. The app is also designed to provide knowledge back to the users for self-reflection of various aspects of their learning, daily life routines and habits, and well-being. The approach thus enables school-age children to be active citizen participants in research and users of knowledge which they themselves have produced.
The Education Scientist app represents a novel approach to educational and psychological research, leveraging mobile technology to bridge the gap between structured assessments and the lived experiences of children. The project aims to inform the development of more responsive educational practices and support systems tailored to the diverse needs of learners.
Poster Session