Sunday, March 1, 2009

Geocache Games

The idea of geocaching (usually an outdoor GPS search activity for planted caches) has great potential applications for use inside the library.  I would like to design a game that utilizes GPS devices as part of an information scavenger hunt; this will be exhilarating fun for patrons of any age.  One can use strictly GPS or can integrate letterboxing (use of clues or landmarks in a text/narrative/etc)  The caches can range from bookmarks with information to lead the players to their next answer, to token treasures for the players to keep, and to small objects which the players gather and turn in for a prize.  Really the fun and thrill should be the process of searching and problem solving rather than the prizes.  The possible combination of details for this idea are endless, and it all sounds so fun!  This will allow the patrons to learn how to use tools/resources that may be new to them.  Of course, paper based scavenger hunts have long been used by educators to guide students through a series of experiences/workstations/etc, and this is the next step in a successful hands on learning activity.  The use of the GPS devices will help the activity feel and in fact be technology driven and yet simultaneously object based.  

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