This week, the team landed in Ghana for an exciting and eventful trip! From exploring local culture to conducting large-scale playtests, it’s been a productive and enriching experience.
Arrival and Osu Castle Tour
We touched down in Ghana on Sunday and began the trip with a tour of Osu Castle, a historic landmark with a rich past. After a day of exploration, the team rested and prepared for the highlight of the trip—playtesting with students at Grace International School.
Playtesting at Grace International School
The primary goal of our trip was to test the game with students closer to our target demographic. We visited Grace International School on Monday and Wednesday, engaging with about 190 students aged 9 to 16.
Initially, our lesson plan assumed smaller, more controlled groups, but upon arrival, we learned that each class of around 30 students would be brought into the room simultaneously. Adapting quickly, we divided into three groups, each working with about 10 students. Initially, only two players per group were assigned to use the tablets, but we soon noticed the students naturally gravitating toward collaborative play, discussing, and even competing to interact with the game. We embraced this enthusiasm by allowing groups of five to share tablets.
Throughout gameplay, students demonstrated strong engagement. In the first mini-game, they discussed handwashing steps, laughed while battling germs, and quickly recognized how shoes protected the character from obstacles.
Pre- and Post-Test Results
We also conducted pre- and post-tests using a drawing prompt: “Imagine someone playing outside all day without wearing shoes. What will their hands and feet look like?” The results were fascinating.
Before playing the game, students’ drawings were abstract, featuring a few bugs and dirt. After gameplay, their drawings became significantly more detailed, with realistic depictions of bugs, dirt, scars, and even ground hazards inspired by elements from the game. These changes suggest that while students had some prior hygiene knowledge, the game helped visualize and reinforce these concepts.
Revised Questionnaire
During Monday’s session, we noticed that students overwhelmingly selected “Really Agree” on the Likert scale questions, making it hard to measure the game’s impact. On Tuesday, we revised the questions to focus on emotions, asking whether students enjoyed washing hands, feet, and wearing shoes before and after the game. Wednesday’s results showed a clear shift in emotions, with many students expressing a greater liking for these actions after gameplay.
Co-Design Insights
The co-design activity offered a deeper look into students’ perceptions and creativity. When asked how they would describe the game, students highlighted specific elements like the medal pieces and the character’s shoes. They also suggested new ideas, drawing sinks, restrooms, mountains, and trees. Their creativity gave us valuable insights into their preferences and how they view hygiene in the context of play.
Overall, the playtest was a success. The students not only enjoyed the game but also demonstrated a meaningful shift in their understanding of hygiene concepts. The team’s ability to adapt to challenges and refine the process mid-playtest was another significant achievement.
World Shoe Factory Tour
On Thursday, we traveled to Akosombo to visit the World Shoe factory. Walking through the facility was an exciting experience as we saw the production process firsthand. The anti-bacterial shoes, designed to combat odor and disease, have been an essential part of our trip, and we even shared our game with the factory team.
Immersing in Ghanaian Culture
In addition to work, we embraced Ghanaian culture by visiting Abajo Café near Accra’s art gallery market. We enjoyed local cuisine, explored traditional art techniques, and watched captivating music performances.
Next Steps
As we head back to the U.S., our focus shifts to preparing for next week’s soft opening, where we will present the results of our playtests and share our Ghana experience with faculty. This trip has been an unforgettable milestone for the project, and we’re excited to take the next steps forward!
