Our Progress
February 22, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan.
MEETING WITH PROJECT PARTNERS
A meeting was held with our partners and advisers from National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (國家災害防救科技中心) at our office in National Taiwan University. We showcased our project's general progress and discussed the future direction of the project. Strategies on exposing the Water Games to all levels of society was also discussed. The meeting concluded on a very positive note and the both parties plan to collaborate more closely in the future.
A meeting was held with our partners and advisers from National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (國家災害防救科技中心) at our office in National Taiwan University. We showcased our project's general progress and discussed the future direction of the project. Strategies on exposing the Water Games to all levels of society was also discussed. The meeting concluded on a very positive note and the both parties plan to collaborate more closely in the future.
OUR GUESTS:
name李毓芳 (助理教授)
Yu-Fang Li (Assistant Professor) 江申 (副研究員) Shen Jiang (Associate Researcher) 傅金城 (研究員) Jin-Cheng Fu (Research Fellow) |
Department中原大學 (都市計畫學系)
Chung Yuan Christian University (City Planning Department) 國家災害防救科技中心 (洪旱災害防治組) National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (Flood and Drought Disaster Prevention Group) 國家災害防救科技中心 (洪旱災害防治組) National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction |
February 5, 2013
Yunlin, Taiwan.
Group picture at Huwei Junior High
OUR FIRST WATER GAMES WINTER CAMP
A large team of approximately 45 people from National Taiwan University, led by our Water Games team, travelled from Taipei to Yunlin early February to conduct the first Water Games Winter camp at Huwei Junior High. More than 60 students had attended, including few teachers and the director of the school. The event itself lasted for a full school day and took place within the campus.
The students were split into 2 main groups and then into smaller groups of 3 for research purposes. All students had the opportunity to play our third game (Flood Protection) and browse through our digital booklet via iMacs and iPads at different time intervals. Aside from testing the digital educational tools, students also had the opportunity to partake in an outdoor water game, adapted from WET Project's activity guidebook. As a bonus, all students were also taken on a mini field-trip to the Linnei Township Office (雲林農田水利博物館) to understand the history of the place and how water resources played part in previous eras as well as today. The site allows visitors to understand how water resources are distributed in southern Taiwan.
The winter camp was, in overall, a success and we have been welcomed by the school to return and host more camps in the future. We are currently expecting to host another camp during the summer in northern Taiwan upon developing a second version of our water games.
A large team of approximately 45 people from National Taiwan University, led by our Water Games team, travelled from Taipei to Yunlin early February to conduct the first Water Games Winter camp at Huwei Junior High. More than 60 students had attended, including few teachers and the director of the school. The event itself lasted for a full school day and took place within the campus.
The students were split into 2 main groups and then into smaller groups of 3 for research purposes. All students had the opportunity to play our third game (Flood Protection) and browse through our digital booklet via iMacs and iPads at different time intervals. Aside from testing the digital educational tools, students also had the opportunity to partake in an outdoor water game, adapted from WET Project's activity guidebook. As a bonus, all students were also taken on a mini field-trip to the Linnei Township Office (雲林農田水利博物館) to understand the history of the place and how water resources played part in previous eras as well as today. The site allows visitors to understand how water resources are distributed in southern Taiwan.
The winter camp was, in overall, a success and we have been welcomed by the school to return and host more camps in the future. We are currently expecting to host another camp during the summer in northern Taiwan upon developing a second version of our water games.
January 24, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan.
CAE WINTER CAMP
A pilot study was conducted here at National Taiwan University on January 24th in preparation for the winter camp at Huwei Junior High, due to take place on February 5th. A total of 60 high school students from a variety of schools based in Taipei had attended the pilot study. Students were split into groups, asked to test our third game (Flood Protection) and browse through a second version of our digital book.
Though the pilot study had been condensed, as it only lasted for 2 hours, it gave our team a good opportunity to prepare for a larger group of students in the coming winter camp. We are confident our accumulated experiences through the pilot study and the coming winter camp will help us host better activities as the project progresses.
A pilot study was conducted here at National Taiwan University on January 24th in preparation for the winter camp at Huwei Junior High, due to take place on February 5th. A total of 60 high school students from a variety of schools based in Taipei had attended the pilot study. Students were split into groups, asked to test our third game (Flood Protection) and browse through a second version of our digital book.
Though the pilot study had been condensed, as it only lasted for 2 hours, it gave our team a good opportunity to prepare for a larger group of students in the coming winter camp. We are confident our accumulated experiences through the pilot study and the coming winter camp will help us host better activities as the project progresses.
January 18, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan.
User test with Hwasia students.
PARTNERING WITH HWASIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
The Water Games team from National Taiwan University will be partnering with students from Hwa Hsia Institute of Technology (華夏技術學院). The collaboration is expected to commence in February 2013 when the three present games are transferred to another programming platform (Unity). Hwasia students will be assisting with 3D designing and partial programming.
It was decided that our three games should be transferred to another platform to counteract previous limitations with designing a 2D game. The general educational content will remain intact but it is likely that the story of each game will be altered.
The Water Games team from National Taiwan University will be partnering with students from Hwa Hsia Institute of Technology (華夏技術學院). The collaboration is expected to commence in February 2013 when the three present games are transferred to another programming platform (Unity). Hwasia students will be assisting with 3D designing and partial programming.
It was decided that our three games should be transferred to another platform to counteract previous limitations with designing a 2D game. The general educational content will remain intact but it is likely that the story of each game will be altered.
November 29, 2012
Taipei, Taiwan.
FORMAL EXPERT FORUM
An Expert Forum hosted by the Water Games team was held on the 29th of November at our research building. Co-pilot Investigators from our team along with their research assistants, as well as previously interviewed experts and guest students and teachers from local schools also attended the forum. The aim was to bring all stakeholders together to showcase the project's progress and for everyone to share ideas and give advice on where the project needs improvements. Great suggestions were given and will be discussed within the team in the coming weeks. The games will be readjusted according to the suggestions. The team hopes to keep improving the games and future forums like this one will be held again in the coming year.
An Expert Forum hosted by the Water Games team was held on the 29th of November at our research building. Co-pilot Investigators from our team along with their research assistants, as well as previously interviewed experts and guest students and teachers from local schools also attended the forum. The aim was to bring all stakeholders together to showcase the project's progress and for everyone to share ideas and give advice on where the project needs improvements. Great suggestions were given and will be discussed within the team in the coming weeks. The games will be readjusted according to the suggestions. The team hopes to keep improving the games and future forums like this one will be held again in the coming year.
LIST OF EXPERT ATTENDEES
name康仕仲 (副教授)
Shih-Chung (Jessy) Kang (Associate Professor) 吳可久 (副教授) Ko-Chiu Wu (Associate Professor) 游景雲 (助理教授) Gene J-Y You (Assistant Professor) 林郁真 (副教授) Yu-Chen Lin (Associate Professor) 江幸真 (主任) Xin-Tseng Jiang (Director) 林三枝 (老師) San-Chih Lin (Teacher) 蔡孟涵 (博士後研究員) Meng-Han Tsai (Postdoctoral fellow) 陳嗣文 (研究助理) Si-Wen Chen (Research Assistant) 李碧雲 (研究助理) Pi-Yun Li (Research Assistant) |
Department國立台灣大學 (土木工程研究所)
National Taiwan University (Department of Civil Engineering Research) 國立台北科技大學 (互動媒體設計研究所) National Taipei University of Technology (Graduate Institute of Interactive Media Design) 國立台灣大學 (土木工程研究所) National Taiwan University (Department of Civil Engineering Research) 國立台灣大學 (環境工程研究所碩士班) National Taiwan University (Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering) 三民國中 San-Ming Junior High 三民國中 San-Ming Junior High 國立台灣大學 (天氣與氣候災害研究中心) National Taiwan University (Weather and Climate Disaster Research Center) 國立台北科技大學 (互動媒體設計研究所) National Taipei University of Technology (Graduate Institute of Interactive Media Design) 國立台灣大學 (氣候天氣災害研究中心) National Taiwan University (Climate Weather Disaster Research Center) |
October 12, 2012
Taipei, Taiwan.
INTERVIEW WITH EXPERTS
Aside from the digital games, the selection of modules as well as their content need to be validated. This is done by meeting with experts from different fields related to water. Our team has met with three professors up to date:
All three experts have given constructive advice regarding the content and the structure of the modules. One professor even suggested adding an extra topic to the mix that would catch the attention of the general public. Our digital games has so far generated a great deal of interest from professors and some schools around Taipei. The Water Games team expects to begin assembling the modules soon and plan to host an expert forum towards the end of November 2012.
Aside from the digital games, the selection of modules as well as their content need to be validated. This is done by meeting with experts from different fields related to water. Our team has met with three professors up to date:
- Prof. Chou (周嫦娥) from Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (台灣經濟研究院), who is an expert in Taiwan's water footprint and green economics.
- Prof. Chang (張斐章) from NTU's Department of Engineering for Sustainable Environment, who is an expert in Taiwan's disaster monitoring and management.
- Prof. Lin (林郁真) from NTU's Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, who specializes in water pollution and water treatment.
All three experts have given constructive advice regarding the content and the structure of the modules. One professor even suggested adding an extra topic to the mix that would catch the attention of the general public. Our digital games has so far generated a great deal of interest from professors and some schools around Taipei. The Water Games team expects to begin assembling the modules soon and plan to host an expert forum towards the end of November 2012.
september 11, 2012.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN.
VISIT FROM SPECIAL GUEST
Our team was visited by a special guest, Renate Fruchter, earlier in September. She is a senior Research Engineer at the Department of Civil Engineering and the director of the Project Based Learning (PBL) Laboratory at Stanford University.
Dr. Fruchter had visited Taiwan to give lectures about the challenges and opportunities of working within a multicultural and interdisciplinary team (within the PBL project), curiously similar to our current team. After reviewing our project and giving suggestions, Dr. Fruchter invited our team to make a submission to the AAAI 2013 Spring Symposia. The conference is due to take place at Stanford University (USA), featuring 8 main themes. The Water Games project would fall under the theme: Shikakeology: Designing Triggers for Behavior Change. The team is currently preparing its submission to AAAI.
Our team was visited by a special guest, Renate Fruchter, earlier in September. She is a senior Research Engineer at the Department of Civil Engineering and the director of the Project Based Learning (PBL) Laboratory at Stanford University.
Dr. Fruchter had visited Taiwan to give lectures about the challenges and opportunities of working within a multicultural and interdisciplinary team (within the PBL project), curiously similar to our current team. After reviewing our project and giving suggestions, Dr. Fruchter invited our team to make a submission to the AAAI 2013 Spring Symposia. The conference is due to take place at Stanford University (USA), featuring 8 main themes. The Water Games project would fall under the theme: Shikakeology: Designing Triggers for Behavior Change. The team is currently preparing its submission to AAAI.
August 30, 2012.
Taipei, Taiwan.
CURRENT PROGRESS
All three games are still in the programming stage, with the Water Fetching game having the fastest progress. Coding for the first level of the game has been completed with coding for the second level underway. Navigation between the Welcome page and the different levels, and the functions for different icons have been completed. The household's total water units can now update themselves depending on how much water is fetched. The buckets carried by each member of the family can also fill itself by changing color. And the family members can now appear to be resting once they reach the house. Last but not least, a water bank has also been incorporated in Level 2.
Water Distribution's biggest progress is the water's movement flowing downstream to patches of agricultural fields that need water and ensuring it fits the traditional Chinese theme of the game. Players can now control the water flow by using the mouse. The agricultural fields can also be seen growing crops and generating coins.
Flood Protection's biggest progress is the water's movement flowing across the city. Flood protection icons (i.e. sandbags, pumps and whatnot) can also be placed at any point along both sides of the river to prevent water from flooding the city when hit by a wave. The simulation of flooding, however, has not been completed yet.
All three games are still in the programming stage, with the Water Fetching game having the fastest progress. Coding for the first level of the game has been completed with coding for the second level underway. Navigation between the Welcome page and the different levels, and the functions for different icons have been completed. The household's total water units can now update themselves depending on how much water is fetched. The buckets carried by each member of the family can also fill itself by changing color. And the family members can now appear to be resting once they reach the house. Last but not least, a water bank has also been incorporated in Level 2.
Water Distribution's biggest progress is the water's movement flowing downstream to patches of agricultural fields that need water and ensuring it fits the traditional Chinese theme of the game. Players can now control the water flow by using the mouse. The agricultural fields can also be seen growing crops and generating coins.
Flood Protection's biggest progress is the water's movement flowing across the city. Flood protection icons (i.e. sandbags, pumps and whatnot) can also be placed at any point along both sides of the river to prevent water from flooding the city when hit by a wave. The simulation of flooding, however, has not been completed yet.
July 26, 2012.
Taipei, Taiwan.
EXPERTS JOINING OUR INTERNAL MEETINGS
Advisers from the Center of Disaster Prevention have reviewed all game proposals and given us guidance and more knowledge on water governance in Taiwan. This is a necessary step to ensure the educational content in the games are accurate. According to our researchers, who've conducted a literature review, digital games targeted at a younger audience should be designed in a way that they're not too realistic but the content must still be accurate nevertheless, which highlights the importance of advisers.
Advisers from the Center of Disaster Prevention have reviewed all game proposals and given us guidance and more knowledge on water governance in Taiwan. This is a necessary step to ensure the educational content in the games are accurate. According to our researchers, who've conducted a literature review, digital games targeted at a younger audience should be designed in a way that they're not too realistic but the content must still be accurate nevertheless, which highlights the importance of advisers.
July 5, 2012.
Taipei, taiwan.
DESIGNING AND DEVELOPING GAMES
Our Game Development team has been familiarizing with the key concepts of each game; in other words, what we are trying to bring to the audience. The teams are in the process of developing their game proposals; these include designing game rules, producing illustration drafts, figuring out icon functions, and more.
Paper prototypes will be produced and tested before the actual programming starts. The first version of the games are estimated to be completed by the end of 2012.
Furthermore, workshops have also been organized to train our programmers how to use different types of softwares unfamiliar to the team (I.e. Adobe Flash). The workshops were also open to other National Taiwan University students not part of our programming team.
Our Game Development team has been familiarizing with the key concepts of each game; in other words, what we are trying to bring to the audience. The teams are in the process of developing their game proposals; these include designing game rules, producing illustration drafts, figuring out icon functions, and more.
Paper prototypes will be produced and tested before the actual programming starts. The first version of the games are estimated to be completed by the end of 2012.
Furthermore, workshops have also been organized to train our programmers how to use different types of softwares unfamiliar to the team (I.e. Adobe Flash). The workshops were also open to other National Taiwan University students not part of our programming team.