Copyright

Eleanor Moss

Summary

Using online gaming and GPS to encourage kids to share knowledge and promote informal peer-to-peer learning.

Description

The idea is based around a treasure-hunting, clue-cracking electronic game.

Joining the game
Once the family has purchased the gaming unit a guardian sets up the playing area for the child. (This is the safe area a child is allowed to play in.) The child then creates a player character profile to join the game with. Children from all over the country join the game.

Game play
The central game controller ‘places’ a clue at a given location and publishes it to all players. (This location is definitely within at least one child’s safe playing area.) A child goes to this location in the real world. The GPS in the child’s unit recognises the child is at the clue’s location and the clue is downloaded onto the unit. After one hour this clue is then published to all players. While the children try to crack the clue they can discuss ideas etc with each other. When a child somewhere cracks the clue they publish it to all players and how he/she cracked it. This cracked clue then gives location of next clue which is in another child’s safe play area, and the cycle continues.

Monitoring
This game can also be used to monitor children’s learning. The character profile for the child develops as they partake in the game. As the child progresses in the game their profile reflects that (there could be different standards of treasure hunter to reach). Adults can monitor what sort of clues children are cracking.

How it might be used

The kid playing this game will experience and enjoy it like other mystery computer games. The idea is that children are not aware that they are learning anything. However, as the game develops their playing character develops and the children develop an understanding of their own skills and strengths.

Contact

Eleanor Moss