Interactive Storytelling Research Articles

Engaging youth in computational thinking practices through designing place-based mobile games about local issues

ABSTRACTIn response to a need to equip youth to become successful contributors to our growing digital economy, educators and researchers are exploring ways to incorporate computational thinking (CT) for all across curricular domains. In this paper, we take a place-based approach to examine how and what CT practices youth learn through designing mobile games in and for their own communities. We conducted three after school workshops with 29 participants (13 female, 16 male, ages 10–16) in a rural city in the Western United States. Youth designed place-based, mobile games to share stories and experiences about local environmental or civic issues using the Augmented Reality and Interactive Storytelling (ARIS) programming platform. We collected and analyzed a range of data including field notes, design artifacts, screencasts, and final reflective interviews. Using Brennan and Resnick (2012) framework for studying and assessing the development of CT, we illustrate how youth engaged with CT practices and how their local topics facilitated their engagement with civic issues beyond the screen. Findings demonstrate how youth can engage with CT practices and their local communities through designing computational artifacts. We discuss implications for how leveraging place-based computational tools afford equitable and accessible CT integration in interdisciplinary contexts.

Interactive Storytelling: Bringing Personas to Life through an AR/VR Experience

Personas are an effective way to bring customers to life, enabling business owners and designers to have a better understanding of their audiences' needs, values and behaviors in detail. Personas help with building and improving product and brand experiences.There is a diverse set of tools and methods to create personas, and while most are successful in creating detailed stories, they're mostly limited in terms of creating an immersive experience or building a deeper level of empathy.Our AR/VR Persona Experience is a unique, dynamic persona engagement tool that uses best‐in class interactive storytelling methods and enables audiences to better visualize and connect with their personas' emotions, habits and aspirations. Based on in‐depth, on‐site interviews, the AR/VR experience creates an ethnographic experience for the audience in the sense that they are able to deeply acquaint themselves with people and the worlds in which they live, ultimately creating greater understanding and empathy.

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Abstract This article addresses the questions if and how storytelling in health education can counterbalance the declining willingness to vaccinate. It is argued that stories in health communication can both create problems ánd provide solutions. The problems are illustrated with an analysis of online personal stories of parents who doubt or deny the necessity of vaccinating their children. The analysis shows how these stories put health care providers in the archetypical role of Ruler who deprives parents from their agency. Narrator and reader are put into the archetypical role of Good Mother, implying that not vaccinating is the only possibility to regain agency and be a responsible parent. Responses to these stories by the government and health care providers are typically formulated in terms of factual, statistical information that is usually incapable of convincing vaccine-hesitant and vaccine-rejecting parents. A narrative approach can be a powerful alternative, provided that stories are first listened to before tailored stories are developed and told. These stories can unite different views about the possibilities to act and the consequences thereof, and can transform parents into Heroes protecting not only their own children but also the children of others. Such “story bridging” combines different types of stories in an interactive storytelling model for health education, which does justice to the target groups’ growing need for agency.

"밴더스내치와 포켓몬고의 인터랙티브 스토리텔링의 차이점 연구 -머레이의 변형, 몰입, 에이전시를 중심으로-"

"밴더스내치와 포켓몬고의 인터랙티브 스토리텔링의 차이점 연구 -머레이의 변형, 몰입, 에이전시를 중심으로-"

An E-Learning Program for Increasing Physical Activity Associated Behaviors Among People with Spinal Cord Injury: Usability Study.

BackgroundThe majority of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States are not meeting the recommended guidelines for regular physical activity. Behavior change techniques (eg, goal setting and action planning) that are framed within the principles of the social cognitive theory (self-efficacy and self-regulation) have the potential to enhance physical activity behavior.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to develop and test the usability of an electronic learning (e-learning) program for improving social cognitive factors related to physical activity behavior among people with SCI.MethodsThe program was created through an iterative process of development and refinement, using a modification of a similar methodology used to develop evidence-informed guidelines in health promotion for people with disabilities (Guidelines, Recommendations, and Adaptations Including Disability; GRAIDs framework). The study included 4 phases: (1) initial product creation, (2) national survey, (3) expert review, and (4) usability testing. Usability testing included both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses.ResultsThe review of the program by an expert panel (n=5) and the results from a national survey (n=142) led to several refinements. Usability testing demonstrated that the program could be completed in a timely manner (<30 min). Participants reported 5 themes: (1) the program improves social cognitions related to physical activity participation; (2) reflection of physical activity behavior; (3) positive perceptions of the quality of the program; (4) positive perceptions of the program operation and effectiveness; and (5) recommendations for improvement. Each item was incorporated into a revised program version 1.0.ConclusionsThis study incorporated an evidence-based framework for developing a brief 30-min e-learning program for increasing the physical activity behavior among people with SCI. The Exercise Strategies Through Optimized Relevant Interactive E-learning Storytelling (e-STORIES) program could be completed in a timely manner and was reported by participants as valuable and useful for enhancing intent-to-perform physical activity in individuals with SCI. The program has the potential to be applied in a variety of settings, but feasibility testing is required before implementing in a larger trial.

On the role of interaction mode and story structure in virtual reality serious games

Educational Environmental Narrative (EEN) games in Virtual Reality (VR) provide rich, high-fidelity environments that provide a fully immersive and interactive storytelling experience for use in teaching. Yet, it is not fully known how learning experience is affected by freely exploring the environment (interaction mode) and having an explicit story structure. A randomized controlled 2 × 2 study with 42 adolescents was performed to correct this omission and find the effect that these two factors have on recalling important information and on how a player feels when playing a game. They explored an EEN VR game with different interaction modes (active vs passive) and story structures (explicit vs implicit) and then completed a knowledge test and standardized questionnaires, regarding their sense of presence, cognitive interest and engagement during the game. Results show that allowing players to navigate freely through the game has positive effects on cognitive interest and a feeling of presence. An implicitly structured game leads to increased recall of spatial information. However, for optimal learning of factual knowledge, guidance is beneficial.

DEVELOPMENT AND USABILITY OF A GAMIFIED MOBILE APP TO HELP CHILDREN MANAGE STRESS: AN EVALUATION STUDY

Children generally have difficulty managing stress. As a result, stress may escalate to anxiety. Informal-learning, stress prevention interventions that are easily accessible on mobile devices could be one way for children to learn how to manage stress before it reaches the levels of anxiety. There are less than a handful of stress management apps targeting children presently available and these do not combine gamification techniques with behavior change theory. This study describes the design and development of a gamified interactive storytelling mobile app to teach young children how to manage stress through relaxation exercises. It evaluates the app’s usability using learning analytics data and the SUS usability scale. The gamified app called Kids’ Stress Relief received a satisfactory usability score (73.55) and was well accepted by a sample of 71 children (5-12 years old). It may have the potential to support children in learning how to perform stress relief techniques as a stand-alone application. Instructional and design implications, of interest to developers of psychology-based apps, are drawn.

Mapping PPS: A case study of story map journals for interactive health reporting

ObjectiveA case study on the visual-material components of story map journals as visual, new media interactive health reporting used in population health surveillance. The story map journal is demonstrated an effective tool that visually reports, maps and tracks global support networks and health resources for post-polio (PPS) survivors.IntroductionHow are interactive story map journals situated within the genre of interactive, health science reporting? How can reporting information to public audiences be theorized through traditional and contemporary understandings of new media genres in technical, health and science communication (1-7). Although the polio vaccine has eradicated the disease in the United States, and 99% worldwide (8), PPS has emerged as a present-day condition that continues to affect many polio survivors years after the initial onset and recovery. Since the symptoms of PPS are oftentimes mis-identified as other illnesses, the diagnosis and management of disease is especially challenging for PPS survivors due to the limited knowledge of and access to PPS resources and support networks (9-11).In 2011, Esri created the ArcGIS story map initiative to meet a need for public audiences who sought how to critically think, better understand, communicate, and interact with world news events. ArcGIS is a geospatially-driven, new media platform that enables audiences to engage with interactive storytelling of news events. Public health and news reporting agencies are now turning to Esri and similar interactive, geospatially driven new media platforms for health and disease surveillance (12-14). Esri’s ArcGIS mobile and web technology platform visually reports, maps and tracks population health data information. With the emergence of such new media applications, it is therefore important to recognize multimodal, visualization strategies that investigate how interaction design choices within the story map journal influence and engage public health audiences. In the field of technical and professional communication (15), applied concept of visual-material rhetorics is a useful mode of inquiry in the study of interactive story map journals. Propen’s concept presents a new understanding of how researchers in disease and public health surveillance can analyze the effectiveness of text and new media technology in relationship to space, place, and geospatial mapping. More specifically, Propen’s concept situates the visual-material as the applied use of text with visual, interactive multimodal components inclusive of images, video, and GPS/GIS mapping technologies.MethodsThis presentation includes a discussion of genre analysis as applied to visual-material components used to study the genre of new media-driven story map journals for the reporting of public and population health resources. Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is presented as a case study of how story map journals in population health can be used to create information about global support networks and resources for PPS survivors.ResultsThe story map journal is an effective genre of new media, interactive reporting in health and disease surveillance. The analysis alongside Propen’s mode of inquiry demonstrates the effectiveness of visual-material components of story maps, and how PPS survivors and medical clinicians can use the story map journal to easily access, visualize, and interact with information about diagnosis and disease management, as well as find connections to local and global support networks.ConclusionsStory map journals as visual, interactive reporting should be considered when analyzing the accessibility and surveillance of health data for public audiences. The case study of PPS global networks and resources, provides one example of how story map journals can assist public audiences who experience difficulties finding support networks and public health resources

Biographizing migrant experience

Abstract Drawing on data generated in collaborative biographical story-telling groups with migrant women in rounds of stories, this article deals with the dynamics of power and knowledge displayed by migrant speakers in a situation of diaspora. I focus on a sexual harassment episode shared by one female Brazilian migrant speaker, Flavia, in relating a crucial moment of change in her life history. The study was structured to gain a perspective on this biographical rupture from three angles, namely successive rounds of stories, the story-telling interaction, as well as the circulation of knowledge displayed by speakers and textual objects they produced across situated interactions. The various perspectives bring to light a language biographical juncture, or muda, i.e. a meaningful, internalized, enduring and embodied re-socialisation into a new linguistic environment. An analysis of the moment by moment subjectivation process revealed this participant subalternally positioned as a woman, a Brazilian migrant and a speaker, hence, as a new citizen in Portugal framed by a set of different varieties of Portuguese permeated by (gendered) coloniality. I illustrate how a combined focus on the socio-material dispositions, on the production of discursive selves and on intersubjectivity in the rounds of stories helped to disclose the material and discursive workings of power and knowledge. Participants biographized themselves as migrants and speakers, with embodied, emotional and enduring biopolitical implications. Finally, the article discusses the extent to which the dispositions and affordances of biographical research, as acts of biographization, contribute to capturing the biopolitical nature of a language muda.

Unfold studio: supporting critical literacies of text and code

PurposeThis research aims to explore how textual literacy and computational literacy can support each other and combine to create literacies with new critical possibilities. It describes the development of a Web application for interactive storytelling and analyzes how its use in a high-school classroom supported new rhetorical techniques and critical analysis of gender and race.Design/methodology/approachThree iterations of design-based research were used to develop a Web application for interactive storytelling, which combines writing with programming. A two-week study in a high-school sociology class was conducted to analyze how the Web application's textual and computational affordances support rhetorical strategies, which in turn support identity authorship and critical possibilities.FindingsThe results include a Web application for interactive storytelling and an analytical framework for analyzing how affordances of digital media can support literacy practices with unique critical possibilities. The final study showed how interactive stories can function as critical discourse models, simulations of social realities which support analysis of phenomena such as social positioning and the use of power.Originality/valuePrevious work has insufficiently spanned the fields of learning sciences and literacies, respectively emphasizing the mechanisms and the content of literacy practices. In focusing a design-based approach on critical awareness of identity, power and privilege, this research develops tools and theory for supporting critical computational literacies. This research envisions a literacy-based approach to K-12 computer science which could contribute to liberatory education.

Whole-Language Approach: Improve the Speaking Ability at Early years School Level

Whole-Language Approach: Improve the Speaking Ability at Early years School Level

Narrative Techno-enhancement: The Impact of The Digital Visual Effects (DVFx) in Creative Narrative Performance

Globalization of technology primarily in the field of film, media and communication studies has also impacted the creativity in visual presentation and storytelling. The occurrence of technological changes that involve creative work will undoubtedly lead to a new assessment of creativity. Hence, technology and creativity are likely to represent a new creative possibility and measurement in the field of film production. Digital Visual Effects (DVFx) provides new kind of creativity based on technology to the creative visual presentation and creative narrative enhancement. We have learned that story and narratives are the priorities that need to be secure in a movie; however, the spectacular element produced by using DVFx show the progress and development of technology used in the film production process, especially to the creative narrative. Hence the question that needs to address is; how these elements of technology integrated with the story and narrative filmmaking? Generally, this article will focus on the role and impact of DVFx as narrative techno-enhancement in the storytelling, and narrative presentation compared the technical visual presentation aspect. Precisely, this article analyses the impact on DVFx among professionals in Malaysia, India, and Australia’s film industries to enhance creative narrative performance. Narrative interstate relies on our understanding of the use of technology to create and convey stories. Presentation of stories also means communicating and transferring the meaning to the audiences. In addition to functioning as narrative techno-enhancement, DVFx opens the exploration of value in creative storytelling such as digital narrative and digital interactive storytelling for the audience in the 21st century. Keywords: Digital Visual Effects, Narrative, Digital Storytelling, Interactive, movies.

Screenwriting for new film mediums: Conceptualizing visual models for interactive storytelling

This article considers challenges specific to screenwriting for interactive storytelling in new film mediums, and proposes fifteen visual, conceptual models for interactive storytelling. The models are placed on a continuum with increasing degrees of interactivity. Three arguments are posed for the necessity of visual, conceptual models and a review of literature is presented that lends credence to these arguments. Though technology’s ability to provide interaction is an important factor, technology is not the focus of this article. Instead, the focus is on the need for authors to have a voice and a process in this new, interdisciplinary domain of interactive storytelling in new film mediums. The models proposed in this article help establish a common vernacular from which authors, programmers and others can communicate and direct interactive storytelling efforts towards the design of interactive storytelling systems.

현대 기계 개념에서 본 미디어콘텐트

The purpose of this study is to facilitate the reading of interactive storytelling among media content by considering it as a machine concept of modern philosophy. Modern media users are not satisfied with a single-medium story and seek to enjoy the story they want in the way that they want. The development of the technology market and the mobile environment has laid the foundation for users to share their personal experiences to create, consume, and distribute stories through various media. A story can progress abundantly if it is a rich story. These techniques have similarities to modern machine concepts. In this study, we initially examine the characteristics of generations, which are the most important strategic factors in relation to content consumption. Technological advances and rapid generation changes also affect media devices and content. This study motivates the reader to think about the authors of modern media content based on an understanding of the rapidly changing media age. It is significant to discuss both the original and the author at this point in the creation of AI. Finally, this study describes the characteristics of media content as a modern machine concept. The modern machine concept is a broad model which holds that everything in the world can be considered as a machine, with flexibility, variability, and interactivity. The content reveals the aspects of the transformation according to the terms of access and constantly operates to enrich the story. This is analogous to a "machinique machine," which works proactively. Content based on interaction moves and works by itself, and the "mechanical machine" operates according to the mechanical imagination, that is, via inherent dynamics during mechanical unconsciousness. This study suggests the idea of a "mechanical machine," i.e., content that operates on its own, by describing cultural and social characteristics, content examples, and the modern mechanical imagination.

The Life/Ways Project: Self-Expression through Digital and Interactive Storytelling

The Life/Ways Project: Self-Expression through Digital and Interactive Storytelling

The framework for creating a psychological assessment tool based on interactive storytelling

In recent years personality assessment utilizing computer science methods has received a lot of interest among researchers. Many teams are looking to use different approaches to measure personality traits, using technology as an alternative to self-report based questionnaires. Many interesting studies have been carried out using social behavior analysis, natural language analysis or player modeling in a computer game. However, despite being promising, the results also show that the effectiveness of these solutions has definitely an area for development. Additionally, it should be noted that the theoretical underpinnings in psychology regarding personality models, in particular, the Big Five model, are extensive. And hold the promise that a combination of such psychological theory and computer science has a lot more to offer. In this publication, we propose a method that allows to design and manufacture a personality assessment tool, using an interactive story in which the user makes choices and actions on the basis of which her/his trait standings are estimated.

Online interactive storytelling: Evaluation of the viewer experience of 360-degree videos

Online interactive storytelling: Evaluation of the viewer experience of 360-degree videos

Mimisbrunnur: AI-Assisted Authoring for Interactive Storytelling

Authoring in the context of Interactive Storytelling (IS) is inherently difficult, and there is a need for authoring tools that both enable and assist authors in the creation of new content. In this paper, we discuss our approach for creating an AI-assisted authoring tool via the concept of mixed-initiative systems. We introduce our tool, Mimisbrunnur, which uses this concept to assist authors in the creation of story content. We explain how the tool functions and introduce its fundamental components, including Natural Language Processing, a Suggestion Generator, and three authoring modules.

Digital transformation to support literacy teaching to deaf Children: From storytelling to digital interactive storytelling

Currently, learning technologies are transforming and modifying educational systems with impressive progress of Information and Communication Technologies. Furthermore, when these technologies are available, accessible, usable and affordable, they represent more than just a transformation for people with disabilities, they represent real opportunities with access to an inclusive education and help to overcome the obstacles they meet in classical educational systems. In this paper we present some experiences using technology to support literacy teaching for deaf children through a storytelling technique.

Player behavior and personality modeling for interactive storytelling in games

Current video games use simple methods to deal with interactive narratives and the enormous variety of player types. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to interactive storytelling in games, in which the quests and the ongoing story are determined in view of individual personality traits and behavioral attitudes in a nondeterministic way. Our method starts the process employing a new technique to assess the player’s personality traits according to the well-known Big Five model. These traits are then used by a nondeterministic planning algorithm to define adaptive goal hierarchies. In addition, an artificial neural network is trained to predict player behaviors in real-time, allowing partial-order planning operators to use player behaviors and personality traits as logical terms in their preconditions. With this approach, a richer individualized experience is provided to the player, while preserving consistency with the conventions of the chosen genre.