DEVELOPING AND EVALUATING COMPUTER GAMES: A PEDAGOGICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR HIV/AIDS PREVENTION IN SCHOOLS

This research report presents design, development and evaluation of computer games as a pedagogical approach for delivering HIV/AIDS preventive education to the lower level high school students within the age range of 13-18 years. The purpose of the research was to enable students to learn and test their understanding of HIV/AIDS basic knowledge and preventive measures using computer games. The models of the games were built using Empirical modeling approach together with experiential learning. Field experiment was used to demonstrate computer games in schools and questionnaire was used for game evaluation. Descriptive statistics and partial least square (pls) were used to analyze quantitative data from questionnaire. The results from analyzed data indicated that computer games influence learning outcome of HIV/AIDS preventive education. Based on the research results and experience in game design and game prototype demonstration in three lower level high schools, recommendation has been formulated for designing similar games for classroom use. The computer game is one of the components of digital learning environment for HIV/AIDS education. Other components include video games and online lessons with discussion forum.