SoilQuest: an IBSE approach with Computer Class Role Playing Game

SoilQuest is a class Role Playing Game to teach Earth Science in First Cycle of Education Schools. The educational technology is based on the idea of using language which is closer to pupils to improve the teaching/learning process. The game seems to be a perfect vehicle for education, even more when cooperative, since the acquisition of knowledge and enhancing skills now requires more actual approaches. The use of tablets, smartphones, social networks, etc. is more comprehensible and funny for young people compared to traditional media. The several roles allow everyone to enhance their own skills and are perfect for a full inclusion of Special Education Needs (SEN) students. One of the authors has already realized two role playing computer games called GeoQuest [1] and GeoQuest Vesuvius [2] creating at the same time a Role Playing Engine [3] which involves all students to the game through their personal mobiles or tablets giving a total interaction of the whole class to the game. The outcome of the class experimentation were excellent, both for didactic and educational results obtained [3]. This article is focused on our new computer class role- playing game based on soil, and specific for children 9-14 aged. Students are guided through a virtual journey from the city across agricultural fields to the woodland. In the role game progression pupils, guided by questions and simple experiments[4], learn the different crossed soils characteristics: urban soil, wood soil, agricultural intensive and organic farming soils. The features to be investigated are related to: the soil color, the pedogenetic structure and soil fauna [5]. Different channels of perception will be stimulated with those activities and will be used multiple communication codes. In order to educate young people on environmental issues it is necessary to encourage diverse styles of learning: cognitive, emotional and pragmatic one through the 3H- Head, Heart and Hands.