Developing digital game-based learning system for the acquisition of Chinese characters in primary education: An interest-driven creator (IDC) theory perspective

Due to the vast amount of and the complexity of Chinese characters, practice by handwriting is a common and effective strategy in the primary stage of literacy education. Nevertheless, students regard the practice as tedium or labor work, and this mental load leads them to lost interest in practicing to copy and write the characters in the assignments. To further promote students acquisition of Chinese characters, sustaining their interest of practicing acts an important role in the learning process. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to develop a game-based learning system to support students practice by handwriting in a joyful rather than uninterested manner. Under the perspective of interest-driven creator (IDC) theory, the proposed game, called character monster, was designed according to one of three anchored loops: interest loop. The corresponding features with respect to three elements (i.e., triggering interest, immersing interest, and extending interest) are presented in detail. In addition, to examine the effects of the learning system, the experimental design is also identified.