Alternate Reality Games for Orientation, Socialisation and Induction Dr Nicola Whitton Manchester Metropolitan University

ARGs in education An active learning experience that is… Contextualised Collaborative Experiential Enquiry-based Scaffolding through increasing difficulty Stimulates curiosity and engagement Advantages of GBL but accessible

An active learning experience that is…

Contextualised

Collaborative

Experiential

Enquiry-based

Scaffolding through increasing difficulty

Stimulates curiosity and engagement

Advantages of GBL but accessible

The ARGOSI project ARG to support student induction One-year JISC-funded project Reusable model Software and framework Overarching narrative with sub-plot linked to learning outcomes Reusable graphical artefacts Viola Quest Piloted Sept – Dec 2008

ARG to support student induction

One-year JISC-funded project

Reusable model

Software and framework

Overarching narrative with sub-plot linked to learning outcomes

Reusable graphical artefacts

Viola Quest

Piloted Sept – Dec 2008

Getting the right mix for learning Completing Competition Storyline Puzzle-solving Community Creativity

Lessons learned Timing is important Don’t expect autonomy for all Many students need an external motivation Difficult to make learning outcomes fun Getting the challenges right is hard Easier is more accessible Students not keen to work offline Underestimated time taken to support

Timing is important

Don’t expect autonomy for all

Many students need an external motivation

Difficult to make learning outcomes fun

Getting the challenges right is hard

Easier is more accessible

Students not keen to work offline

Underestimated time taken to support

Questions for educational ARGs How do you provide motivation to play? How to keep niche yet still be inclusive? How can you make ARGs accessible? ARGs support the autonomous learner Can they also be used to develop autonomy? Can you build in reflection on learning?

How do you provide motivation to play?

How to keep niche yet still be inclusive?

How can you make ARGs accessible?

ARGs support the autonomous learner

Can they also be used to develop autonomy?

Can you build in reflection on learning?