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Citizen Science and Game with a Purpose to Foster Biodiversity Awareness and Bioacoustic Data Validation

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Interactivity, Game Creation, Design, Learning, and Innovation (ArtsIT 2018, DLI 2018)

Abstract

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth and its biological diversity. It boosts ecosystem productivity, where each species has a role to play. Unfortunately, human activity is causing massive extinctions and biodiversity losses continue. Because of that, nature conservation efforts and environmental monitoring have become increasingly important to manage natural resources and reacts to changes. Following this line, we designed a game with a purpose (GWAP) aimed to address two emerging issues in this area: (i) engaging citizens in validating bioacoustic samples collected using smart bioacoustics sensors; and (ii) educating and enhancing the user’s biodiversity awareness while playing, inspiring them for later reflection and eventually inspire behavioural changes. In this paper, we describe the different design phases and the insights obtained from an early experience prototype session of the game, engaging 14 young-adults. From the prototype session, we collected insightful feedback on the design of the game and its mechanics as well as its interface. Moreover, preliminary positive responses of the users encourage us to refine and continue developing the game.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    https://www.cbd.int/doc/strategic-plan/2011-2020/Aichi-Targets-EN.pdf.

  2. 2.

    http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/ibatsprogram.html.

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Correspondence to Catia Prandi .

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© 2019 ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering

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Loureiro, P., Prandi, C., Nunes, N., Nisi, V. (2019). Citizen Science and Game with a Purpose to Foster Biodiversity Awareness and Bioacoustic Data Validation. In: Brooks, A., Brooks, E., Sylla, C. (eds) Interactivity, Game Creation, Design, Learning, and Innovation. ArtsIT DLI 2018 2018. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 265. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06134-0_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06134-0_29

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-06134-0

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