Design, implementation, and evaluation of a social learning network for Chess

Abstract

Abstract This thesis demonstrates how an active team environment, enabled by educational technology, enhances an individual's learning experience. With the inspiration and insight from international chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, who is also an experienced and successful chess coach, this thesis examines the question in the context of chess. Two of GM Ashley's acclaimed chess skill builders, Pawn Mower and Chess- Maze are digitally transformed, and then extended to create a social learning network. Three types of team interactions are designed, which we call EnLighten Me, Peers' Peek, and Heat Map respectively. EnLighten Me and Peers' Peek are implemented into browser-based webpage, while Heat Map is visualized in a mobile application written on the Android platform. A comparative experiment is then designed according to learning theory, to test the effectiveness of the proposed social learning network. User data was collected and interpreted for possible future work.