Using Elgg to support an Alternate Reality Game
Overview
• A story-based treasure hunt with weekly clues introducing University support services with points and prizes
• Can games support induction?• Alternate reality games deliberately blur the
line between the in-game and out-of-game experience.
How did it work?
• Weekly triggers by email directing students to Community
Storyline
Saboteurs
Methodology
• Grounded in the existing proven pedagogical techniques of game-based learning
• Extended into the context of a mystery
• Removed from the setting of the classroom by making the game outside all course structures.
What worked?(and what didn’t)
Self-supporting
Too cryptic
IT Skills
Teamwork
Teamwork and…Fun
Teamwork and…Fun…and IT
Being part of something
Summary
Sample feedback from the 12 students who completed all tasks:
• "In induction week they tell you where to go to get help, Careers for instance. But you forget it all 5 minutes after you've left. This was brilliant - now I really know where to go.“
• “I was wrapped up in too much programming, it helped give me a break and get a new perspective”
• “…a really good way to learn”
• “Thank you all for a wonderful and inspiring term! From chasing orange techie people to strapping spoons on my forehead, its been fun :)”
What next?
• Learning and Teaching Fellowship
• School-based, intense induction week(s)
• The next run…(infiltrating secret societies)