Agoge: an information literacy game for transfer students

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to describe a successful outreach to transfer students through an interactive information literacy game. While the main purpose of the game is to introduce students to research and university library resources, it also allows for an analysis of incoming students’ information literacy skills. Design/methodology/approach This case study outlines the evolution of the game from a test-like tutorial administered through the Blackboard course management system to an interactive game in two iterations, describing the game in relation to game design and best practices and discussing how the artwork for the game was created. An analysis of data from student answers to the game questions over time shows what librarians have learned about the information literacy skills of incoming transfer students. Finally, student feedback about the game collected through a survey is presented along with ideas for future modifications. Findings This paper provides insights into the design and creation process of an interactive information literacy game and a model for how similar games can help librarians assess students’ information literacy skills. Practical implications Transfer students are hard to reach as a group at many institutions. An interactive game targeted to transfers during the admissions process is a potentially effective way to reach out to them. Originality/value This paper brings together two important issues in the library literature: how to reach out to transfer students and educational library games. Librarians involved with these issues will benefit from the paper’s insights and practical advice.

Serious games for information literacy: a scoping review and design recommendations

“…The authors, however, do not detail which specific information literacy concepts these mini-games test. Kearns et al (2017) designed Agoge: The Spartan's Journey to bridge the gap for transferring university students who often miss library orientation classes. This game follows a set of linear scenes within which players complete quiz tasks (e.g.…”

“…Only a handful of the identified articles described a theoretical lens, framework or educational standard for developing their game. These articles include Goh (2014, 2016a, b), Guo et al (2017), Wilson et al (2017), Kearns et al (2017) and Hill (2015).…”

Creating a Library Orientation Card Game to Reach New Transfer Students

“…Aware of these common challenges that transfer students often face in transitioning to a new institution, some librarians have called for academic libraries to provide more orientation and instruction sessions designed with the transfer student population and their needs in mind (Phillips & Atwood, 2010;Tag, 2004). In recent years, librarians have designed an information literacy game in Blackboard (Kearns, Kirsch, & Cononie, 2017), personal librarian programs (MacDonald & Mohanty, 2017;Lafrance & Kealey, 2017), and other library services and programs (McBride, Gregor, & McCallister, 2017) specifically for transfer students.…”

Mindfulness and gamification in the higher education classroom: Friends or foes?

“…There has been significant amount of experimentation in the realm of information literacy gamification (Clyde & Thomas, 2008;Cowing, 2017;Kearns et al, 2017, Laubersheimer et al, 2016Markey et al, 2011;Porter, 2012;Smale, 2011, etc. ) that has led to some ideas about best practices.…”