Olga CaprottiUH

Treasure Hunts and Educational Games

JEM and WebALT in Second Life

Meet my avatar: Sybil Nemeth

Motivating event: SL Best Practices in Education

Online conferencehttp://slbestpractices2007.wikispaces.com/SLCN.tv+Archives

Exhibition spaceshttp://slbestpractices2007.wikispaces.com/Exhibitors

Freebies: t-shirts, ”Conference Bag” ANGEL LearningIsle/158/74/24

was not able to open the bagwas able to carry the bag on my hand (I attached it to my hand)had no idea what to do with itlearned how to wear a different t-shirt

Help in SLNewcomer’s island

Had to take at least 2 stations – gave up on 3rdReturned later on

Sandboxes: places where it is possible to buildStrangers buy ”Flexi Hair” for you

What did we want to do with SL?Use it as a showcase window for WebALT and for JEM

it must do more than the browser-based window

Explore how one can teach mathematics online in itno maths lessons, several SL tutorials, few other topics in the events list maybe lessons are private and not announced

Ultimately”can this do anything better than what we use?”

better for the students, improve the learning experience

Showcasing WebALT and JEM

• Boards, gift bags, rotating signs• Occasional other avatar visiting the exhibit• Same at JEM portal: visitor counter with names

for registered users

Museum, exhibits in 3D spaces work well

• move chairs, take objects, change slides• on JEM portal: leave a comment, post news, rate

an item, add a wiki page

Visitors may be allowed to change

the space

• web portals: realtime chat blocks, googledocuments

Visitors may interact with one another

and with the exhibit in realtime

SL for showcasingThe WOW factor is still there (gone for websites)Additional media publicity for freeRenting a space and setting up an exhibition is relativelystraightforward:

JEM office: 1week workObjects are mostly available for freeWhiteboard is not too expensiveOnly basic constructions skills

Office space in SLExhibition boards

display numbered images (10 L$/image) = can display a slideshow

HandoutsGive away a ”notecard” with instructions on how to reach a web siteMay hand out other items, e.g. a laptop, or a t-shirtExecutes a script: opens a URL in a browserNo way to directly give, say, a PDF or a PPT

Sitting areas”the socializing aspect”

Scavenger hunts in SLTreasure hunts/scavenger hunts are popular

Instructions are distributed in a notecardParticipants look for hidden objects or carry out tasks, like in a normal treasure hunt

The JEM SL treasure huntInstructions are delivered upon answering a MapleTA practicequestion correctlyParticipants look for hidden objects or carry out tasksPrizes are not decided yet

Such a game cannot be organized if students are scatteredaround the globe

TechnicalitiesTook the example scavenger hunt by Bcreative WildeCreated a MapleTA practice assignment in which the feedback is given only if answer is correctAdded as feedback for the questions the instructions of the scavenger hunt using SLURLs

Educational GamesMuseum/exhibits/exploratorium seems more fittingHard to design engaging 3D learning activity in SL whichfocuses on mathematics and not on SL

easier in geometrymore difficult when students need to script

Some students might find the gaming aspect too time consuming – not directed to the goal: passing the coursePotential for team work, discussion & problem solvingactivities however no desktop sharing, input of mathsmust be programmed

Welcome to the JEM SL treasure hunt!

GOALIn this treasure hunt, players will collect images and information toprove where they have been in SL according to instructions that areprovided if they can complete correctly a mathematical question.Each player has to compile what he/she has collected in notecardform and return the notecard to Sybil Nemeth. The instructions willbe displayed when clicking "View Details" after grading the answer.TIME LIMITStarts:Wed. 6PM EET --- Ends: Sat. 6PM EETPizes Awarded: Mon. 6:30PM EET Winners will not be awarded ornotified till this time.ITEMS NEEDEDTO PLAY10L$ needed for pictures which is supplied by Sybil NemethHOWTOWIN GRAND PRIZEBe the first turn in a notecard containing all the correct information.PRIZEDo not really know at this point. Linden dollars maybe or SL itemslike the JEM t-shirt.RULES•Be honest no sharing information.•Use what you know about navigating in SL to find what you arelooking for.•All entries must be submitted in notecard form with all infocontained in a notecard and numbered.

•You may start anywhere but keep the notecard numbers in thesame order as the question who gave the instruction.•Each person will be given 10L to cover pictures you will be taking.If you decide not to play or did not use the money please return itfor use with future projects.•Be sure to name the notecard with "your name"- JEM hunt.

TIPSPLACING PICTURES/LANDMARKS/NOTECARDS INSIDE A NOTECARD•Pictures: open your note card so you can read it. Open yourinventory and drag the picture onto the open notecard it shouldattach itself.•Landmarks: Open same as above, find the landmark in the landmark folder and drag it into the notecard.•Notecards : Open the scavenger hunt notecard find the notecardyou want to transfer into the other notecard but do not open thisone. Drag it onto the open notecard. It should work just like theabove did.REVIEW ON PHOTOTAKINGWhen the Snapshot previewer comes up be sure the "upload asnapshot" is checked. This will put it in your inventory underpictures. If you save to hard drive you will have to upload it backinto SL which will place it in the textures folder.Always rename your photos or you will have bunch that just saysnapshot. You rename them by finding them in your inventory rightclick/rename.