http://citers2014.cite.hku.hk/promoting-sexuality-education-through-an-online-interactive-game-reaching-youngsters-without-limits/ Author CHU, Samuel Kai Wah (HKU); LAW, Wilson (HKU); LEUNG, Wendy (HKU); KWAN, Alvin (HKU); REYNOLDS, Rebecca (The State University of New Jersey, USA); MELLECKER, Robin (HKU); HONG, Athena (HKU) Abstract The symposia will begin with two paper presentations relating to a project which aims to disseminate correct knowledge and positive attitudes towards sex to teenagers using popular interactive platforms such as iPad, Facebook and the web. While the first presentation provides an introduction to the project and user’s opinions on the game; the second presentation focuses on the role of psychological factors on users’ knowledge and attitudes towards sex. The 20-minute paper presentations will be followed by a 5-minute Q&A session, a 25-minute hands-on session for participants to try out the game and another 5-minute Q&A session.

1. Promoting sexuality education through an online
interactive game: Reaching youngsters without limits
Dr Samuel Chu
Mr Alvin Kwan
Dr Athena Hong
Mr Wilson Law
Ms Wendy Leung
The University of Hong Kong
Jun 14, 2014

2.  Introduction
 Paper presentation 1 (10 mins)
 Paper presentation 2 (10 mins)
 Q&A (5 mins)
 Hands-on session (15 mins)

3. “Making Smart Choices” is an online interactive
game co-developed by HKU & the Family Planning
Association which aims to disseminate correct
knowledge and positive attitudes towards sex to
teenagers in Hong Kong
Food and Health Bureau: Health
Care and Promotion Fund
Supported by:
Funded by:

4. Team Member Affiliations
Dr Samuel Chu Head of Division of I&T Studies, HKU
Ms Grace Lee Education Officer In-charge, FPAHK
Mr Alvin Kwan Teaching Consultant, Division of I&T Studies, HKU
Mr Frankie Tam Director, FifthWisdom Technology Limited
Dr Athena Hong Teaching Consultant, School of Nursing, HKU
Mr Charles Lam Education Officer, FPAHK
Miss Maggie Yu Education Officer, FPAHK
Miss Melody Tang Education Officer, FPAHK
Mr Mickey Lau Graphic Designer, FifthWisdom Technology Limited
Dr Rebecca Reynolds Assistant Professor, Library and Information
Science, Rutgers University
Edwin Chu Game Designer, HKU

5.  Background of the game development
 Key features of the interactive game
 Findings and Feedback from the students
 Reasons for success

6.  Underage sexual intercourse (Girls: 15.3 yrs
old; Boys 14.6 yrs old)
 Un-protective sex among youths
 limited knowledge of contraceptive methods
 Increase cases of HIV
 Insufficient sex education in school
 conservative culture - topics relating to sex is
not openly discussed or taught by parents

7.  Game-based approach
◦ fun and interesting
◦ capture youth’s attention
◦ offer an ideal platform to experiment with decision-
making
◦ self pace-learning
◦ risk-free environment
 Participatory design along with usability tests
◦ involves an active role of users in the design process
◦ 17 end-users completed the usability test
◦ 6 experienced web evaluators conducted the heuristic
evaluation

8. Making Smart Choices
Through popular platforms
Web
Facebook
iPad
iPad Int’l
＊Web & iPad version requires User ID and
password of HKEdCity

9. Love Q&A (gain better self-understanding for
establishing a healthy love relationship)
Intimacy Photo (learn to set and maintain
intimate boundaries)
Escape from Sexual Impulse (understand about
sexual impulse and considerations in deciding whether to have sex or
not)
Sorting out Safe Sex Knowledge（to acquire
safe sex knowledge as well as awareness of self-protection)
Rank your Option (knowledge of options and support
services in case of unwanted pregnancy)

10. Values and Beliefs
Assistance
Seeking
Critical
Thinking
Decision
Making
Communication
skills
Making Smart Choices：5 Indices

11.  1176 students in 6
secondary schools
 Briefing session
 Pre-test, Game,
Post-test
 Debriefing
 Survey
 Interviews

12.  788 students’ game scores are recorded.
The mean scores of the pre-test and
post-tests are 3.04 and 3.74,
improvement was significant, p<0.001.
 71 students played twice. The mean
scores of the pre-test and post-tests are
3.44 and 4.68, improvement was
significant, p<0.001

13.  Positive feedback received through survey (n = 1123)
and 10 student focus group interviews (n =57)
 Most students like the game app and describe the
content as “interesting”, “fun to play”, “interactive”,
“informative”, “real-to-life” and “applicable”.
 Students report having a greater awareness of safe
sex and self protection
 They have also learned to consider consequences of
their actions and increased their awareness of
making smart choices.

14. Remarks： 1 = Strongly disagree 6 = Strongly agree（mid-point = 3.5)
3.8 3.9 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5
1.9. I will replay or have replayed this game to increase my
knowledge in sex
1.8. I would recommend this game to my friends.
1.7. I understand the purpose of the fifth stage (Rank your
Options) of the game
1.6. I understand the purpose of the fourth stage (Sorting
out Safe Sex Knowledge) of the game
1.5. I understand the purpose of the third stage (Escape
from Sexual Impulse) of the game
1.4 I understand the purpose of the second stage
(Intimacy Photo) of the game
1.3. I understand the purpose of the first stage (Love Q&A)
of the game
1.2. The game instruction of different stages is clear and
easy to understand.
1.1. The game is fun and interesting
Students’ views on the interactive game

15.  I would recommend this game to others because many people lack
sexual knowledge and this game is very interesting（MF—G—S3—
G5—1.8）
 I have learned how to protect myself and how to practice safe sex
in order to lower the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases
（MF—B—S1—G2—1.6）
 I have learned how to set boundary with the opposite sex and how
to make smart choices. （MG—G—S1—G2—1.4）
 This game has helped me understand where I can turn for help if
problems arise (e.g. unwanted pregnancy) （MF—G—S2—G3—1.7）

16. 4.5 4.55 4.6 4.65 4.7 4.75 4.8 4.85 4.9 4.95
2.12 have understood counting safe period is not a reliable
way of contraception
2.11 have learned how to practice safe sex
2.10 have learned how to reduce the risk of getting sexual
transmitted diseases
2.9 have understood the risk of sexual behaviors
2.8 have understood the importance of reaching a consensus
with their partners before making important decisions
2.7 have gained correct sexual knowledge and positive
attitude towards sex
2.6 have understood the importance of having the
awareness and knowledge of self protection
2.5 have understood what I should consider before having
sex and make sensible decision
2.4 have learned how to control my sexual impulse
2.3 have a clearer view on the boundary I should set with the
opposite sex
2.2 have more understanding of my own view and attitudes
towards sex
2.1 have more respect towards my own feelings and feelings
of others
After playing the game, students …

17.  This game helps us obtain correct knowledge. It also helps
correct some of my misconceptions and attitudes towards sex.
（ TWG—B—S2—G2—2.2）
 I have learned how to control my sexual impulse and what I
should consider before making a decision of having sex. （ MF—
B—S3—G7—2.4）
 It helps you better understand and consider what kinds of
consequences would follow after having sex and how it may
affect your future.（TWG—G—S2—G3—2.5）
 I have learned how to protect myself and say “No” to others。
（MF—G—S1—G1—2.6）

18. Students generally agree that “Making Smart Choices”
can help them enhance the followings:
 Value and Beliefs towards sex
 Critical Thinking Skills
 Decision Making Skills
 Communication Skills
 Ability to Seek Assistance

19. 4.48 4.5 4.52 4.54 4.56 4.58 4.6 4.62 4.64 4.66 4.68
3.5. Enhanced my ability to seek assistance, e.g.
willing to seek assistance through proper channels
when crisis arise
3.4. Enhanced my communication skills, e.g. be a
good listener as well as capable of expressing my
thoughts and feelings to others
3.3. Enhanced my decision making skills, e.g. able to
consider the consequences and impacts of the
actions before making a decision
3.2. Enhanced my thinking skills, e.g. sensibly
withstand the influence of peers and social norms
3.1 Enhanced my value and belief, e.g. understand
my own values and attitudes towards sex and
relationship, respect others with different values
After playing the game, students …

20.  I’ve learned that I shouldn't be affected by others easily, like I
have to think whether I should have sex carefully before taking
any actions, even though friends around share that they have
had sex before.（MF—B—S3—G5—3.2）
 I find out that there are a lot to be considered before having a
decision on having sex, for example, my family…and many other
factors.（MF—G—S3—G5—3.3）
 Through this game, I have learned how to response/reject others’
(sexual) requests. We can solve problems or reject others
through better communication.（TWG—G—S2—G3—3.4）

21.  Lots of fun and it can enhance of my knowledge of self protection
（MF—B—S1—G2）
 The content of the game is very rich and it covers many aspects of
sexual knowledge（MF—G—S2—G3）
 If we attend talks, we can only obtain knowledge through “listening”. It
is better to gain knowledge and experiences interactively as we go
through different stages of the game
（TWG—G—S2—G3）
 It is good to learn by going through different scenarios in the game so
that we know what we should do if we encounter similar situations in
the future. （MF—B—S3—G7）

22.  Innovative/Unique
 Game-based approach
 Participatory design along with usability tests
 Support from teachers

23. “Learning should be fun,
interactive and personalized”
《Dr Samuel Chu, Associate Professor of
The University of Hong Kong 》