Introduction

Bio Mining, a trendy mobile application (app) of picture-wise games, has been co-developed by CUHK and Starwish Little Prince Studio Limited in the hope of tackling the learning difficulties in learning terminologies and bringing fun to students studying LSCI/BIOL courses with interactive games. Through Bio Mining, the students can associate the illustrations/photos under a choice of biological topics to the terminologies they learnt in classes and so as to learn and memorise the terminologies in a fun and effective way.

Where to find BioMining?

Online versions

• Web-browser version
• Smart phone versions
  • Android: available in Google Play
    • Or use mobile device to search "Bio Mining" in Google Play
  • iOS: available in App Store
    • Or use mobile device to search "Bio Mining" in App Store

Archive versions

• Web-browser version
• Smart phone versions (coming soon)
  • Android: available in Google Play
    • Or use mobile device to search "Bio Mining Archive" in Google Play
  • iOS: will be available in App Store soon

Content

The application consists of 3 topics "Cells", "Plants" and "Animals", under which there are total 19 subtopics. 490 key terminologies of Biology have been carefully selected for the game by the lecturers. With the professions and teaching experience of the lecturers, the game is well designed to tackle general learning obstacles of students in their learning progress. In addition to over 134 illustrations, more than 330 photos prepared by the lecturers have been included in the game so that student can associate the terminologies with actual objects besides the illustrations.

Features of game

Game Protocols
Through the application, players can memorise the terminologies by associating the terms with abundant colourful photos and illustrations. The game consists of 3 game protocols:

•  "WIPE", to unveil the masked object and spell the associating terminology;
•  "SHAKE", to apply the definition of a terminology through selecting the correct schematic diagram;
• "MATCH", to match given terminology with a correct photo/illustration, or vice versa.

Progressive learning with three difficulty levels
There are 3 levels in every category, with each level set with different parameters of time, marks, number of choices and availability of functions. It is set in a progressive training mode so that users have to be familiar with the questions in order to unlock the next level and challenge a harder game mode.

Time Limit and Marks
The game requires students to answer as many questions as they can within the given time. Marks will be deducted for wrong answers. Only mark equal to or above the passing score is added to one's cumulative score. The precise understanding of the terminologies of students is thus enhanced.

Instant feedback
To enhanced awareness about one's learning progress, Bio Mining gives instant feedback including score, progress of the level, newly awarded virtual badge and rank.

Share through Social network (for online version only)
Students using the online version can share their achievements in the games through facebook and send invitation through one's online social network to "challenge" their friends with the same game scenario.

Evaluation Report

Please download the evaluation report here.