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)