Not sugar, but salt: Pet-nurturing game model for student learning

In this paper, the relationship of learning and game activities is emphasized. The sugar design perspective is identified from the literature, and then we propose another salt design perspective. Based on the salt perspective, a pet-nurturing game, named My-Pet, is developed and applied to both Internet and one-to-one classroom. The results of these trial studies examined the system feasibility, and revealed that learners are motivated and interested in such game-based learning. Some implications about the tradeoff between two different perspectives and the possibility of using in formal schooling were also discussed.