Engaging Minds, Bridging Cultures: Gamified Learning for Cultural Awareness Among Adolescents
Keywords:
Culturally Responsive Teaching, Educational Game Development, Multicultural EducationAbstract
This study aims to evaluate the usability and suitability of the Patrio Playmat culturally responsive teaching tools to enhance both student and teacher awareness and knowledge of Malaysia's rich multicultural diversity. Social heritage and biodiversity awareness have traditionally been conveyed through various educational methods, including integration into Visual Arts Education (VAE) curricula in Malaysia. The creation of the 'Patrio Playmat' builds on the foundational concept of board games, featuring a large interactive mat designed as a game board equipped with themed accessories. The game emphasizes multicultural elements while also spotlighting Malaysia’s endangered animal species, utilizing animal figurines as educational game components. Its development was guided by SMART goals—a framework emphasizing goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound (Rubin, 2002)—and informed by Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory. A design developmental research approach incorporating the case study method was employed. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaire surveys (including characteristics and usability testing) with purposively sampled participants comprising three Visual Arts Education teachers from secondary school students from Shah Alam, Selangor.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Siti Zuraida Maaruf, Hareez Haiqal Shaari, Akmal Ahamed Kamal, Wang Ling
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