Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences

The 15th ERDT-DOST (Engineering Research and Development for Technology Department of Science and Technology) Conference, co-located with the 11th AUN/SEED-Net Regional Conference on Energy Engineering (RCEneE), will be hosted by the University of the Philippines Diliman at the Manila Hotel on 27-28 September 2018. Topics to be covered by this conference will include environment and infrastructure, information and communication technology, manufacturing and machinery, and eastyl semiconductors and electronics.

We are pleased to announce that the paper “Open-Sourcing a Framework for Developing Mobile Augmented Reality Games” has been selected for a presentation during the conference.

ABSTRACT

MAGIS (Mobile Augmented-Reality Game Engine for Instructional Support) is a framework for developing educational games that makes use of user’s location to provide relevant AR (augmented reality) content. It has been used in the production of two mobile games, Igpaw: Intramuros and Igpaw: Loyola, both educational adventure games that let players tour and learn about the walled city of Intramuros and the campus grounds of Ateneo de Manila University, respectively. In this paper, we discuss the steps taken to facilitate the open-source release of the MAGIS framework, with the intent of enabling the general public to create their own games using this framework. This discussion includes the technical issues encountered and the results of a training workshop that was made open to the public.

The Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences conducted an instructional workshop for the Mobile Augmented Reality Game Engine for Instructional Support (M.A.G.I.S.) Game Engine at the University of San Jose-Recoletos on July 27 and 28, 2018. The M.A.G.I.S. Game Engine was used to create instructional augmented reality games such as Igpaw: Intramuros and Igpaw: Loyola, both of which are available on the Google PlayStore and Apple App Store.

Melvin Luis Mendoza, Japheth Samaco, and JM Santo, three members from the MAGIS development team, conducted the workshop for a total of 17 participants composed of students and faculty from the university. Most of the participants kept up with all of the discussions. They were able to modify the sample game provided with their own content, which was the workshop’s main exercise. In addition, some of the participants were able to deploy their modified games to their phones.

Overall, the workshop was successful in sharing the MAGIS Game Engine to more aspiring augmented reality game developers. ALLS and the MAGIS team would like to thank University of San Jose-Recoletos for their participation in the workshop, and their hospitality during the team’s stay in Cebu.

The Department of Science and Technology recently concluded “Science for the People” in celebration of the National Science and Technology Week this 17th to 21st of July, 2018. The theme of “Innovation for Collective Prosperity” hosted at this platform showcased our country’s achievements in science and technology as well as their intended applications of its products and findings. The institution urged all Filipinos to apply creativity in east jump technology as a critical factor in solving many of the country’s problems and in improving the lives of its citizens.

ALLS, represented by Joal Rose Lin, Jose Isidro Beraquit, Japeth Samaco, Nicole Bugayong, John Michael Santos, and Luis Raphael Tomas Lim, were assigned to exhibit the Igpaw Igpaw: Intramuros, Igpaw: Loyola, and reADMU.txt.

The Grand Challenges in Computing (GCC), held on July 27-28, 2018 at the University of the Immaculate Conception, Texas St./Bonifacio St., Davao City, is an annual conference organized annually by the CSP-SPICE. This year, in partnership with the Computing Society of the Philippines-Special Interest Group on Information and Computing Education (CSP-SPICE), the University of the Immaculate Conception had hosted GCC. The two day conference featured special lectures from prominent researchers and educators in the information and communications technology and contributed research papers on computing and ICT.

ALLS representatives, Dr. Maria Mercedes Rodrigo, Cesar Alipiz Tecson, and Michelle Banawan, were included among the panel of reactors.

The theme was “Science-based Transformations for Sustainability and Resiliency” at the 40th Annual Scientific Meeting organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines on July 17 – 21. The gathering seeks to help ventilate, discuss, clarify and expound science and technology issues and to use the results to formulate policies and other functions. According to the institution, the event also serves to provide analyses and science-based solutions and policy recommendations to the government, the private sector and society at large.

ALLS, represented by Joal Rose Lin, Jose Isidro Beraquit, Japeth Samaco, and Nicole Bugayong, was part of the Ateneo contingent.  We showed the Igpaw: Intramuros, Igpaw: Loyola, and reADMU.txt.