Abstract:

The aim was the implementation of multimedia software based on the popular game “Trivial” it can used as a tool for learning and self and team evaluation.

The system architecture is conditioned by two main elements:

• Firstly, by the modes of play: Collective, cooperative and Individual game.
• In addition, given that the database will be gradually enriched with the questions proposed by the students. A centralized solution would allow all users access the updated database. Thus, the solution that has been adopted is the development of a Web application.

Our intention is that the system should be distributed both within and outside Granada University, and so we decided to utilize a widely-known and used server. The application was developed on a XAMPP cross-platform web server, and with free software, consisting of the Web server Apache, the data base MySQL and the scripting language interpreters PHP and Perl.
This decision is in accordance with the University’s policy of using free software whenever possible. Also in accordance with this policy, we are considering releasing the software developed.

The system development was carried out on Symfony Framework. This particular framework was decided upon in view of its recognized advantages concerning the standardization, speed and quality of development, as well as its ease of maintenance. In short, we chose Symfony because of its excellent performance and accessibility.
Access to the database was performed via the object relational mapper Doctrine. These components allow the system to function on any other database; thus, it is particularly interesting to possess an initial version that is functional on SQLite, due to the ease of management of this database for all types of users.

Two profiles of system user are defined:
• Student: proposes new questions; plays individually, cooperatively or collectively; after the game, checks the results obtained.
• Professor: includes the students in the database (massively, using the output from the University file system); defines student teams and items; sets the shape of the game; agrees to the items defined; checks students’ results; validates and introduces new questions in the game; directs the collective form of the game in the classroom.

Below are two screens of the developed system:

A) The application has an access control system, after which the user must choose the course that you want to access. In the case of professors also must choose the profile you access to the subject, that is, do as “professor in charge” of the subject or as a “professor in a group”. The actions permitted in these two profiles are different in some sections.

B) Here are some games started. For each question is displayed cheese to which it belongs and that the team will get if you answer correctly. When a team gets all the cheeses of which contains the game, the game will end and be victorious. To the right of the screen shows the "cheeses" made so far by each of the teams. At the top of the screen shows the time remaining question is answered, going to another team and another question is not answered within time.