Designing and Evaluating a Game-Based AR Application for Heritage Learning: Insights from the Choirokoitia Mystery Game

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v13i1.1585

Keywords:

Augmented reality, design-based research, multimodality

Abstract

Within the trajectories of design-based research (DBR) and multimodal theory, this study captures the iterative processes undertaken to design, develop, and deploy game-based Augmented Reality (AR) applications for learning, exploration, and collaboration within higher education settings. Three game-based scenarios were designed set in a prehistoric neolithic site, Choirokoitia, in the Mediterranean region. The study investigated the pedagogical and technological affordances, complexities, and contradictions that our interdisciplinary team experienced during these iterative processes. Using a multimodal perspective and drawing on Klopfer and Squire’s (2008) framework, we delineated six phases, from aligning the AR scenario design with European project requirements and creating multimodal contexts, to identifying future research directions. The results demonstrate the intricacies and iterative processes utilised in harnessing multiple software and hardware resources for the conception and realisation of AR embedded within culturally and historically rooted contexts that enact affordances for exploration and collaboration. These endeavours were underpinned by pedagogical imperatives that focus on task-oriented activities.

Author Biographies

Stella Hadjistassou, KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence

Dr Stella Hadjistassou is a research fellow at the KIOS CoE at the University of Cyprus. She served as the Acting Director of the Language Center at UCY for two years where she held a visiting lecturer position. Stella completed a PhD in Rhetoric/Composition and Linguistics from Arizona State University. She also holds an MTESOL degree and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She specialises in Computer-enhanced Language Learning, Applied Linguistics, Social Virtualities, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, ecological perspectives in language teaching and learning in multimodal learning environments, and Cultural-historical Activity Theory (CHAT). Stella has taught multiple conventional, hybrid, and online courses in the United States and in Cyprus in second language teaching and technology, teaching methodology, research methods, sociolinguistics, and English as a second language. She has also published in the area of computer-enhanced language learning. She has collaborated in various national and European funded projects related to XR, cultural heritage, STEM-subjects, Mobile-based learning, and teacher education. Email: stella1@asu.edu (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-2963-8393)

Shaunna Joannidou, UCY

Dr Shaunna Joannidou holds a PhD in Technology Enhanced Learning from the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University, UK. She was the Education Coordinator at the UCY Language Centre (2 years) and has also served as the Acting Director of the Language Centre at UCY (6.5 years). She specialises in Continuing Professional Development in the use of new technologies in foreign language teaching. Shaunna has delivered numerous teacher training seminars for the Ministry of Cyprus English language teachers and has also developed and led virtual learning environments for professional development opportunities in education. She teaches English for Academic Purposes (EAP) as well as English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP) for the Medical School and the Department of Physics. Shaunna has been involved in numerous EU funded projects including VocTEL 2013-2015 (Vocational Training in Technology Enhanced Learning), IntlUNI 2012-2015 (The Challenges of the Multilingual and Multicultural Learning Space in the International University), CiELL 2018-2020 (Comics for inclusive English Language Learning), which won the British Council International ELTons award for Digital Innovation as well as received a Judges’ Commendation for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and DimPAH 2020-2023 (Digital Methods Platform for Arts & Humanities). Email: shaunna@ucy.ac.cy (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7067-7867) 

Pedro J. Molina Muñoz , UCY

Dr Pedro Molina Muñoz is a Spanish language instructor at the Language Centre of the University of Cyprus. He holds an MA in “Information and Communication Technologies in Language Teaching and Processing” from the National Distance Education University of Spain (UNED) in 2014 and completed his PhD at the University of Granada in 2016. He is a teacher trainer and has delivered teacher training in many institutions as the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus or the Cervantes Institute. He is also the organizer and coordinator of the “Training Days for Instructors of Spanish Language in Cyprus” and the “UCY-LC International Forum of Young Researchers” and has numerous publications. He has presented his work in numerous local and international conferences. His research interests include Teaching Spanish as Foreign Language, New methods in foreign language teaching, Second Language Acquisition, Networked Learning, Innovative Technology Applications in Foreign Language Teaching, Online Learning, Augmented Reality, Teachers Training, and Professional Development. Email: munoz@ucy.ac.cy (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-7958-1271)

Petros Louca, UCY

Mr Louca Petros is an A Class IT Officer managing the Sector of Applications Development of Information Applications Service, at the University of Cyprus, collaborating with the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence in EU funded research programs, including ReDesign and DiMPAH. Among his IT multi-disciplinary work involvement, he focuses on designing, developing and deploying Augmented Reality mobile applications for educational purposes, based on the taught curriculum, through research and innovation for achieving a higher degree of student engagement by employing immersive learning experiences. Email: louca.petros@ucy.ac.cy (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-3616-1557)

Georgios Ellinas, UCY

Dr Georgios Ellinas holds a BS, MSc (1993), MPhil (1995), and a PhD (1998) in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, where he received the Eliahu Jury Award for “outstanding achievement in communications or signal processing” during his PhD studies. Dr Ellinas is currently a professor (and past Chair 2014-2020) of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Cyprus. Prior to joining the University of Cyprus Dr Ellinas was an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at City College of the City University of New York (2002-2005). Before joining academia, Dr Ellinas was a Senior Network Architect at Tellium Inc (2000-2002). Dr. Ellinas also served as a Research Scientist/Senior Research Scientist in Telcordia Technologies’ (formerly Bell Communications Research (Bellcore)) Optical Networking Research Group, where he performed research for the DARPA-funded Optical Networks Technology Consortium (ONTC), Multiwavelength Optical Networking (MONET) and Next Generation Internet (NGI) projects from 1993 to 2000. Dr Ellinas also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University and the University of Maryland Baltimore County, teaching courses on multiwavelength optical networking in 1999 and 2000, respectively. He has co-authored two books on optical networks (J. Wiley 2007, Cambridge University Press 2008), is the co-editor of another two books on optical networks (Springer 2011, Springer 2017), has co-authored 18 book chapters and more than 285 journal and conference papers, and is the holder of 30 patents on optical networking. Email: gellinas@ucy.ac.cy (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3623-7742)

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Published

2026-03-11

How to Cite

Hadjistassou, S., Joannidou, S., J. Molina Muñoz , P., Louca, P., & Ellinas, G. (2026). Designing and Evaluating a Game-Based AR Application for Heritage Learning: Insights from the Choirokoitia Mystery Game. Journal of Learning for Development, 13(1), 147–161. https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v13i1.1585

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026): ISSUE 1

Section

Case Studies

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Stella Hadjistassou, Shaunna Joannidou, Pedro Molina Muñoz , Louca Petros, Georgios Ellinas

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Received 2024-06-30
Accepted 2026-01-22
Published 2026-03-11