Implementação de um jogo de tabuleiro em um sistema embarcado para apoio ao ensino de Matemática

Abstract

The difficulties on the use of computer systems in a classroom, for both teachers and students, have been widely discussed between authors in the education field. Being considered a computer system, the so-called embedded systems have as one of their main features the possibility of being effective even if the user is not proficient with computers. In this context, based on the discussions on the potential of the recreational aspect of electronic games for Education, this work presents the development of an embedded system, instantiated on a micro controller of the PIC family (Peripheral Interface Controller) for the Contig 60 R game board. A list of functional and non-functional requirements, based on the rules of the game and studies of Grando (2004) on the use of this game as a tool in the classroom, made the creation of this system possible. The main goal of the underlying system is to improve this tool so it can be used by Math teachers in their classes. To attain this goal, embedded systems design methods were researched. These include techniques of hardware optimization, implementation of Artificial Intelligence concepts for the creation of an autonomous player, and methods for saving games in flash memory. Tests were made to validate this system based on a list of requirements. The result show that the system well succeeded in attending such requirements. In the future, it is expected that the system developed helps in the introduction of embedded computational systems in class and helps new researches on the use of embedded systems in Basic Education.