The Game Layer on Top of the World

I have been interested in SCVNGR (a web platform for building mobile device-enabled scavenger hunts) for some time now but the need for students players to use smart phones is currently prohibitive to my educational use.

Listening to Seth’s TED talk, I was interested by his presentation and the concept of schools as a game.

School is a game, its just not a terrible well designed game. Seth Priebatsch

This ‘education game’ includes levels (grades) and status (valedictorian) as used in most popular games but currently its just not very playable? I have seen a number of excellent reward schemes in schools, from the very simple Achievement Passport schemes, to the technology assisted Vivomiles but I have yet to see games designers – school. This reminded me about the brilliant TheFuntheory concept and I could not resist the opportunity to share the magical piano stairs with you.

Seth Priebatsch: The game layer on top of the world | Video on TED.com