New media
"The Universal Student" Alternate Reality Game
University of the Sunshine Coast
2018
Abstract
The Universal Student (TUS) Alternate Reality Game (ARG) took place on UniSC’s Sunshine Coast campus in semesters 1 and 2 of 2018. The game was an outcome of the Games for Engagement, Learning and Orientation (GELO) Project, which was funded by a UniSC internal grant. The overall project aimed to address the alienation, isolation and confusion experienced by first year students by having them take part in a meaningful and fun activity. The game was designed using transition (Kahu 2013; Nelson, Creagh, Kift & Clark 2010) and motivation theories (Deci and Ryan 2000). It drew on literature from prior ARG projects in higher education (Whitton et al 2014; Piatt 2009) which had demonstrated that ARGs can support student induction, but that student engagement is difficult to maintain. Students who played TUS reported a greater sense of wellbeing and more familiarity with the university campus than students who did not play. Players made social connections that lasted for months or longer. Our research suggested that using ARGs as part of student learning can foster meaningful social connections that benefit students throughout their studies. It indicates that there may be value in developing ARGs to support cognition and behaviour change.
Details
- Title
- "The Universal Student" Alternate Reality Game
- Authors
- Sandie Elsom (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Education and Tertiary AccessColleen Stieler-Hunt (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative IndustriesMarguerite Westacott (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Education and Tertiary AccessSarah Glencross (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Community Engagement
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2018
- Grant note
- Project funded by 2017 USC Learning and Teaching Grant.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; School of Education and Tertiary Access; Community Engagement; Engage Research Lab; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99690697902621
- Output Type
- New media
Metrics
101 Record Views