Exploring Mixed Reality Board Games as an Innovative Educational Tool for Teaching History in Primary Schools

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges of teaching history to primary school students and the endeavour to develop a board game, supported by educational apps and augmented reality, to enhance the learning experience. The initiative is in response to the New Zealand Ministry of Education's mandate that New Zealand's history must be taught in all Kura and schools' local curriculum from 2023. (Ministry of Education, 2023). The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase explored teachers' attitudes towards using technology as a teaching aid and the availability of digital devices for interactive teaching and learning. The results showed that many teachers are supportive of using board games and technology in their teaching. In the second phase, a board game was developed and trialled with a group of teachers and students as expert representatives for the target group. The results showed that the mixed reality board game has great potential and is well worth continued development. The study also suggests that emerging disruptive technologies such as mixed reality can create effective and engaging learning and teaching environments.