Project

RescueReady

Enhancing First Aid Training through Gamified Learning

I contributed to the development of RescueReady, a quiz-based application aimed at improving first aid skills through engaging and interactive training. The platform, built as part of a university project, leverages gamification elements such as lifelines, a leaderboard, and real-time feedback to enhance user engagement. RescueReady was developed using the Play Framework, with a focus on user-centric design principles and seamless functionality to create an intuitive learning experience.

Summary

Responsibilities

  • Concept Development

  • Frontend Implementation (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)

  • Backend Development (Java, Play Framework)

  • Database Integration and Management (SQL, JDBC, ORM)

  • Real-Time Feedback System (AJAX)

  • Gamification Features (Jokers and Leaderboards)

Background

First aid knowledge is crucial but often neglected, making accessible and engaging training methods essential. RescueReady was developed as part of a university project to address this challenge by transforming traditional first aid training into an interactive and gamified experience. The project explored how gamification and interactive features, such as lifelines, leaderboards, and real-time feedback, could enhance learning outcomes and user engagement. Designed to simulate realistic scenarios, RescueReady leverages personalized experiences to help users retain critical first aid skills. By blending education with entertainment, the application aims to make life-saving knowledge more intuitive and widely accessible.

Gamifying First Aid Training

Development

Gamified Learning Through Technology

Built using the Play Framework, the project aimed to combine engaging gamification techniques with a robust technological foundation to create an interactive platform for first aid training. My role focused on key aspects of development, including backend implementation, user interface refinement, and integrating core functionalities like the quiz mechanics, user sessions, and real-time data handling.

We employed a Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture to structure the application, ensuring a clear separation of concerns for maintainability and scalability. The backend, implemented in Java, utilized Play's asynchronous capabilities to manage sessions and real-time updates effectively. For instance, the system dynamically tracked users' coin balances and Joker availability in the shop and during quizzes, providing immediate feedback through AJAX-powered requests. This seamless interaction between server and client enhanced the application's responsiveness and user experience.

Data management was another critical component of RescueReady. We leveraged SQL databases, normalized to the third normal form, to store user data, leaderboards, and chat messages efficiently. By integrating JDBC, we streamlined the communication between the application and the database, enabling real-time updates and secure data storage. Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) techniques were employed to map database entities to Java classes, simplifying the interaction with the data layer and ensuring consistency across the application.

The front end was designed with accessibility and user engagement in mind, combining HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create a visually appealing and intuitive interface. Features like the real-time leaderboard, interactive shop, and dynamic feedback during quizzes were implemented to motivate users and sustain their interest. The inclusion of visual feedback, such as countdown timers and progress indicators, aligned with Nielsen's heuristics to enhance usability and system transparency.

Anton Liebe - Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Christoph Jungmair - Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Moritz Gahm - Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Nicolas Hess - Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Team & Credits