1. The Great History Conundrum! Problem-solving and game play in a first year skills module am14@le.ac.uk

2. Background Historical Studies module HS1000: “The Makings of Scholarship” (skills module) Covers: Finding information, analysing sources, communicating results, expressing clear arguments, group working, self-reliance “Internet searching and evaluation” 1-hour lab workshop Skills take-up poor; engagement very low

3. Project Aims Find effective replacement for current session Increase engagement with subject Reinforce other skill elements in module Encourage/enable self-directed/timed learning Student Outcomes: Where/how to search for historical resources Critically analyse resources Collaborative activity / shared consensus Number of transferable skills

4. Models: Perplex City ARG

5. Factors for Engagement in ARGs Problem solving at varying levels Leaderboard Narrative devices Regular delivery of new problems/events Large, active community

6. The Activity Link…Link… / Alt…Alt…

7. Puzzle categories A: Location of resources B: Differentiation between resources to determine suitability C: Evaluation deeper criticism; identifying bias D: Application proper use of resources and citations

8. The Activity

9. Activity Home on BlackBoard

10. Forum Marking Criteria

11. Engagement with the Activity

12. Final Leaderboard

13. BlackBoard Accesses by Hour

14. Question Attempts

15. Questionnaire Responses Prefer to existing lab session Spent 2-20 hours on activity More time spent at home than on campus Collaboration with others 5-50% Meeting face-to-face to discuss puzzles Formed friendships during activity Motivation: Assessment Different challenge Leaderboard - keeping track of scores/grades

16. Student quotes “It was a really good idea, makes a change from conventional forms of assessment” “I enjoyed it and found I was discovering things I wouldn’t have done otherwise”

17. Conclusion / What Next? Blended approach essential Use of forums: make value transparent Further scaffolding / retraining needed Scaffolding for critical skills / independence Wider use of module? Better initial training for critical skills Jan-Mar: further development work May: larger, full pilot Embedded in module Nov 2008?

18. Contact Details Alex Moseley, University of Leicester am14@le.ac.uk Dr. Kate Litherland, University of Leicester kl15@le.ac.uk