Model for developing educational games based on data from dictionary structure

Abstract

The paper describes a model for transferring data from dictionary structure into games. The model is developed on the example of Croatian Web Dictionary – Mrežnik. Mrežnik has a complex structure with fields and subfields for entering data created in TLex. Dictionary data organized in a fixed structure can be selected from the dictionary, exported, and used for automatic or semi-automatic creation of educational games like spelling games, accentuation, splitting words into syllables, idioms, and word relations (e.g. synonyms, antonyms). Dictionary data can be processed by a game algorithm that creates game assignments and corrects answers based on data structure. Game types based on structured dictionary data are quizzes, fill-in-the-blank games, drag-and-drop games, typing games, and crossword puzzles. The development process will be analyzed based on these initial steps: understanding dictionary structure, conceptualizing games based on structured dictionary data, choosing game data, exporting data, processing data, and gamifying dictionary data. After explaining each of the steps, the authors propose modifications to the steps and analyze how they can be used for other e-lexicographic works.