Explora México: A Mobile Application to Learn Mexico's Geography

Abstract

In this paper we present the development of a mobile application (named Explora México) for 9 to 10 years old children as a complementary learning tool for Mexico's geography and develop multiple intelligences through gamification techniques. The content to develop such learning activities was taken from the official curricula from SEP (Secretaría de Educación Pública, Public Education Bureau) 4th grade elementary level Mexico's Geography book. Explora México consists in 450 multiple choice questions in order to have more than one correct answer in the advanced levels. The learning activities were developed keeping in mind the Constructivism theory with the objective to develop multiple intelligences according to Howard Gardner's theory. Geography provides an excellent opportunity to develop spatial, naturalistic and interpersonal intelligences, and provide appropriated feedback to the student is an important process to allow student analyze, interpret and evaluate their answers. Gamification techniques were considered to engage and motivate the child, each correct answer gives bonus coins which later can be trade for Mexico stickers and augmented reality (AR) car game accessories. Mexico's stickers and the AR game become a great motivation to the child who becomes eager to collect more coins by answering more questions; it is also a great activity to support and according to Garner's theory to develop kinesthetic intelligence.