Alternate Reality Games for Orientation, Socialisation and Induction [Names]

By the end of the session participants will Have experienced an ARG first hand Recognise the components that make up the game Be aware of the ARGOSI design framework and customizable artefacts Have developed challenges for their own learning outcomes

Overview [times]Introduction [times] Playing the game [times] The ARGOSI framework [times] Developing challenges [times] Conclusion

What are ARGs? Emerging game form Viral marketing tool Real world and online - variety of media Narrative unfolds over time Built by the players - user-created artifacts Collaborative challenges ‘This is not a game’ Typically niche but with high engagement

Why ARGs for education? It’s a gaming environment  Provides challenge, context and purpose  Creates engagement and mystery They’re collaborative They support active learning  Problem-based, experiential, authentic They’re lo-fidelity  Encourages use of range of technologies  Less development effort to produce and extend They use ‘actual reality’  Enables orientation in the real-world  Uses the best of each medium  Links to community and other organisations

The ARGOSI project ARG to support student induction – one year JISC funded project  Integrated gaming environment  Meet InfoSkills learning outcomes  Create social networks  Improve student orientation confidence  Engage in, and enjoy induction Induction  Lack of context  Information overload  ‘Pub’ focussed  Little orientation to the city

ARGOSI structure Narrative ChallengesCommunity

Narrative structure Overarching storyline  Regular plot points when challenges released Customisable sub-plots  Related to learning outcome sets

Challenges Online and offline Individual and group Different levels of difficulty Linked to InfoSkills learning outcomes  Use Library catalogue to find specific items – call number challenge  Identify SSOs – door stickers  Use online reading lists – hidden book Range of ways to provide evidence

Community Socialisation Online and offline Shared goal Forum collaboration