«Using gamification to automate neuropsychological tests and investigate active ageing»

Abstract

Computerized neuropsychological testing provides information that is more systematic and easier to administer than the traditional method of using paper and pencil. We believe that serious game technology can be effectively applied to lower the cost of developing new computerized traditional test systems, even allowing the creation of new and promising environments for the evaluation and research of active ageing. 

To study whether this approach is feasible we are developing a set of serious games. Specifically, we have developed a computerized version of the «Test of 15 Objects» and compared the performance of subjects when using the traditional method and our computerized version, which captures all user data in real time using game analytics techniques. The first tests have been conducted with users where other relevant information (e.g., demographics, familiarity with the technology) was also compiled using online pre-post question forms. Preliminary and still limited results are promising as they show that the computerized version and the traditional test provide similar results, while data additionally captured through the use of analytical gaming techniques open the door to new environments for active ageing research.

Bio

Baltasar Fernández-Manjón is full professor at the Faculty of Computer Science at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). He holds a PhD in Physics (specialising in Automatic Calculus) from the UCM. He is currently director of the e-learning research group e-UCM and director of the Telefónica-Complutense Chair in Digital Education and Serious Games. His main lines of research are e-learning technologies, educational standards and applications of games and educational simulations (or serious games), topics on which he has published more than 200 articles in international journals and conferences and has directed or co-directed 12 doctoral theses. Previously he was vice-dean of Research at the Faculty of Computer Science and academic director of computer science studies at CES Felipe II in Aranjuez. During 2010-2011 he was visiting associate professor at Harvard University and visiting scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr Fernández Manjón is an IEEE senior member. He has participated in numerous european research projects (FP7, LLP) and is currently participating in the H2020 RAGE and BEACONING projects on serious games.