EFA in testing

Together with Saxon companies, the current digital prototype of the learning game EFA – Safely through the jungle of obligations has been tested since May 18, 2021. The project aims to support the acquisition of skills by Saxon micro and small companies in the social services sector with regard to occupational health and safety. Test companies are thus actively involved in the game development with the aim of developing it in a practical and industry-oriented manner based on the needs of social services companies. From mid-May to the end of June 2021 (Phase 1) and from mid-September to October 2021 (Phase 2) the testing phases take place.

Companies from a wide range of fields have already registered for the trial. In addition to TWSD AG facilities, several course groups from a training company and ten social services companies will be taking part. The companies involved work in the fields of outpatient and inpatient care, elderly care, child care and independent youth work.

In terms of content, the scientific testing should provide insights into the following questions, among others: How error-free does the game work? How well does the game flow develop for the players? How well is the usability implemented? How is the player performance? What are the possible application scenarios for EFA in the company?

To find out, a specific test scenario was developed. The tests will take place (probably exclusively) online and synchronously on two dates of approximately 3.5 hours each. All dates will be accompanied by lecturers from the project team, who will moderate the event, document it and be available to answer participants' questions at any time. The game sections will be tested occupational safety organization and risk assessment. In both test dates, after a short introduction to the project and the topic, the participants are given the chance to test the respective game section. The test game is framed by a preliminary survey on, among other things, the implementation of occupational safety in the company itself and a follow-up survey on usability and player experience using an online questionnaire. A subsequent focus group interview in small groups provides further insights into the transfer of the learned game content to everyday business life. The final component of the test is the transfer workshop "From the jungle to the company", in which the participants solve knowledge tasks on occupational safety organization and risk assessment and transfer the knowledge they have gained through the game to their own everyday work.

The first test group has already completed a full run. Their feedback was very diverse and ranged from absolute enthusiasm for playing and the knowledge they learned to dissatisfaction with the implementation and boredom they felt while playing. Thanks to the participants' feedback, we have already been able to identify many areas for improvement that now need to be put into practice. We hope that we will receive similar helpful feedback in the further test sessions.

We are still looking for interested micro, small and medium-sized companies with up to 250 employees, as well as social services companies for the test phase 2 in October. If you are also interested in testing the digital prototype, please contact Dr. Sandra Schulz by email (sandra.schulz@tu-dresden.de). By participating in the trial, you support the target group-oriented development and scientific research of game-based digital training offers. Further information on the trial can be found at: https://tu-dresden.de/mz/projekte/projekoverview/efa/e-f-a-in-erprobung-werden-sie-teil-der-spielentwicklung