I have read about Scvngr a few times, but yesterday finally decided to give it a try in class. We are studying Shakespeare right now which is not a favorite topic of study for most students. I hoped that by using something like Scvngr might engage them in the subject. Boy howdy, did it do the job! The students loved it.
Basically, I used Scvngr to set up a scavenger hunt within a copy of text that we read in class today. Before yesterday, I had never used the program. However, I found that it was quite simple to use. I am guessing that I had a good activity planned in under two hours. This is pretty good considering the time it takes to get used to a new app.
The activity we did consisted of 6 questions. I gave the students the text to read first, and then set them on the hunt. It was almost unbelievable to see how hard they were pouring over the text to find the answers. Along with each of the questions was a challenge. I am still not sure how these work, but I made due today by giving the students the “text passcode” for the next clue. The challenges were the funnest because the students were a little apprehensive at first. One of the challenges that they had to do read “Stand up as a group and, with your right arm in the air, repeat the Shakespeare’s motto in latin. It was a kick to watch them do this. Honestly I was surprised that not a single student refused to do the challenges. Usually one or two students fight activities like this.
I will definitely be looking for ways to use this in my classroom in the future. Actually, I think the students will be begging for me to do use the app again soon.
I also used SCVNGR for the first time a few weeks back and it worked quite well. Only problem was we could not use the text feature as that has not been released in Australia as yet. We did the online feature and had two teams competing. I just need to make the clues easier for the first few times so students get the idea. I work with at risk youth (15-17) in a TAFE context (College in USA).
If you teach Shakespeare you may like to watch this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1XvC4Cz_EU
I met RAFE when I was in the USA on an educational study tour. I have read his 3 books and he is an amazing teacher. By the way, great blog. Have added it to my favourites. You may like to see my blog as we have a number of things in common – http://www.geoffallemand.wordpress.com
Thanks for the youtube vid. It was pretty cool. I also went over and visited your blog. Good work. Looks like you have an interesting group to work with. I have spent several summers working with at risk teens painting houses. It can be hectic at times, but is always rewarding in the end.
I am interested to know how else you have used SCVNGR since this first attempt. I am glad to know you used as an in class game. I was hoping to use it as a field trip game but will certainly use it as an in class game first. Thanks for your blog.
Thanks for reading the blog. This post is a little outdated. Last time I checked, SCVNGR frowned upon using the app for a classroom activity like I have posted in this blog. However, it was such a successful activity, I have been trying to figure out a way to do this kind of activity using a different means. It is one of my goals for the summer.