What We Learned From Pokemon Go

I spent my evening walking around my neighborhood. I strolled downwards streets I had never considered going downwardly, parks I never spent more than two minutes in, I began learning about art effectually me, and I was greeted past strangers in my neighborhood (something that doesn't happen then often in Seattle.)

Pokemon GO opened me up to to a whole new world in i evening. Pokémon GO is an augmented-reality game developed by Niantic for iOS and Android devices. The game was released in July 2016. Niantic is also the developer of another augmented-reality game chosen Ingress.

Whenever I try a new technology I similar to ponder what it could exercise for the world of learning. Here are my thoughts on the Pokemon GO app and how information technology relates to designing online learning experiences.

1. Less is more on the approach to directions

The app is super intuitive to apply and the designers make a smashing use of the whole experience (even waiting.) The loading screens warn you to await out around your environs (since you could possibly be walking near or through traffic to get to a location or take hold of a Pokemon.) The only option on the main screen is to tap to get the professor to talk more. I love the simplicity of it and y'all don't demand to overly explain how to use the app. You lot but use it.

2. Rubber first

It'due south clear in the app that safety is a concern, equally information technology should also be in mobile learning. I think information technology'due south a adept idea they pointed this out, especially in filler spaces like loading screens.

iii. Personalization

I think personalization really comes into play when you take a technology where more than ane person tin can play. You are able to choose your username, character wait (although very limited), and eventually you lot can choose a team and gym.

4. Be prepared for the worst and hope people come dorsum for more than

When the game released in the US a lot of the servers went down. I don't know if they were planning for the game to exist so pop. The server crashed a few times on me merely it did not dissuade me from trying to become back on. I know if this were a learning app it would be a different instance.

5. Know your audience or know that you want them to adjust

You are able to collect Pokeballs and Eggs from PokeStops. The eggs y'all collect can require y'all to walk different distances to hatch them. I noticed the distance was in kms (which I am not used to.) It's not a huge deal (and most of the earth uses the metric organization) but it does help to know your audience and their preference.

half dozen. Information helps you lot program but information technology is likewise creepy

There is a ton of information that you will view in Pokemon GO. You are able to view everything you accept collected at PokeStops to which Pokemon you caught via your Journal. I think information technology helps to define goal setting. The creepy office is that it records exactly what time you nerveless each item or Pokemon.

7. Terminology and acronyms tin can and should integrate flawlessly

In your collected Pokemon list y'all can sort your Pokemon past specific filters. One of the items on a Pokemon is information technology'southward CP or Combat Ability. I similar how they defined it on the filter simply didn't feel the demand to telephone call it out everywhere.

8. Augmented Reality is cool in the right situations

On the app there are two settings for collecting Pokemon. Y'all tin use the Augmented Reality (AR) setting or y'all tin can utilise the default environment setting to catch Pokemon. The AR setting works actually bang-up out and about just is sort of lame when you find a Pokemon chilling on height of the counter peak in your domicile.

ix. Collecting and existence social are motivators

I feel more than motivated to play knowing that in that location are more than Pokemon to collect (and they even tell yous which ones are around!) The fact that information technology is too social is a key factor for me. I have not really experienced the social factor yet only I'thousand excited to get started and connect with people who also enjoy the app. I did have someone running by me at the park congratulate me on capturing a Clefairy.

10. Being rewarded for doing something while also learning is pretty spiffy

One of my favorite features of the app is that I go to know and explore my neighborhood in a dissimilar way. Many of the PokeStops are at local establishments and have some facts about them listed. Information technology was really absurd to see fine art that I have never noticed and even new restaurants that I may try out! I don't think I would have gone to them without the incentive of getting some Pokeballs or eggs though. The rewards pushed me to do something I would not unremarkably practise.

What I am looking forward to next with Pokemon GO? At level 5 y'all can join a team and a gym. You and/or your squad can go to the gym and battle against other players and teams.

Will I keep playing? I don't know. I will probably play quite a fleck just I feel similar this is something more casual to do like Swarm/Four Square with checking in. It'due south a cool way to discover places in my neighborhood that I have never seen before and it'southward really cool to experience a new blazon of game and app.

- Mel