Gamified Design Empowers Hearing-Impaired Children—Taking “NEW SOUND” as an Example
摘要
Many studies today incorporate gamification, as games are “a way of participation, interaction, entertainment, and learning.” [1] Learning is a participatory process, and by integrating game concepts, participants can benefit greatly. Gamification design advocates a “human-centered approach,” where all game functions and rules are designed around the external and internal motivations of the user. This paper explores the application of gamified participatory design in enhancing the abilities of hearing-impaired children, using the innovative educational tool “NEW SOUND” as an example. By integrating gamified elements with participatory methods, “NEW SOUND” transforms traditional learning into an interactive and inclusive experience. This paper discusses how gamification can stimulate engagement and how participatory design ensures that the tool meets the users’ needs and preferences. “NEW SOUND” is an interactive board game designed to help hearing-impaired children aged 4–7 who have cochlear implants develop and restore necessary language skills. Through colorful visual effects, hands-on activities, and tactile markers, the game supports vocabulary growth, basic sentence construction, and early communication skills. The game is engaging, non-competitive, and sensory-friendly, emphasizing fun and positive emotions.