So, I terrified my students today... (ARG Launched!)

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Permalink Reply by Kev on March 1, 2009 at 1:49pm

There's no prize, just the joy of playing. The letter is the same as the ppt.

Right now, they seem quite stuck. They are researching/learning more than I ever thought they would though which is obviously great. Every name of every historical figure I introduce is getting poured over like crazy. I hadn't counted on that in the least.

My kids just aren't quiet net-savvy enough to collaborate on solutions online which is ok. I have learned that I'll need to have weekly agent meetings where they can get together. We did one and they've been begging me to have another so I will again this week.

They are definitely still interested and I will definitely run it again next year regardless of how this one ends up. The beginning was promising enough to show me it can work and has value.

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Ferreyra on March 1, 2009 at 2:33pm

Kev,
I love this project! I know how difficult it is to get kids researching and to stick with it for the long haul. I am off to check out your website, but I'll take any project creation hints you might have. I'm thinking this might be an interesting summer school activity for my g/t crew.

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Permalink Reply by Kev on March 1, 2009 at 5:25pm

I'll start putting together more of a "how-to" when I get some time to breathe. Right now it is all kind of a mess on paper and only somewhat more ordered in my head.

It really all starts with creating a series of puzzles/brain teasers/treasure hunts that lead from one to the next.

Then you can write the story to go on top of it.

Then you mesh it all together and hope they learn something...

At least such has been my pattern so far.

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Permalink Reply by Kev on March 6, 2009 at 8:18am

Yesterday we had our second day of Intensive Agent Training (which is to say, Voluntary Afterschool Meeting For No Credit or Extrinsic Reward.) 14 kids showed up which is down from the 25ish the first meeting and pretty weak given that I have 70 kids involved.

What matters is the excitement in the room and I could tell would continue long after they left the room.

I quote Agent Amber:
"This is so exciting I can't wait to get home and try it!"

I've seen quotes like that in books before and always cynically felt that no kid talks like that. Turns out, given the right stimulus, they do. Yesterday they decrypted a picture puzzle that led them to an instant message account. Having no IM software at school they had to do that next step at home. A few did and I'm eager to see when/how/if that info ends up on the wiki.

Overall, so far so good with some definite bumps in the road to work out but I definitely believe in the process.

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Permalink Reply by Kev on March 6, 2009 at 5:20pm

Posted it here http://mrroughton.com/Documents/arg.ppt

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Maurer on March 25, 2009 at 6:27pm

I just wanted to let you know that I posted the beginning of my ARG on this discussion http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/649749:Topic:92949?id=64974...

I gave you credit as the opening powerpoint and training packet are 98%. I did give you credit. I do promise that I did create my own stuff from that point on so I did not steal all of your ideas. I also have to tell you that I cannot figure out the XBOX Live clue. Very clever whatever it might be or what I am to do.

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Permalink Reply by Kev on March 26, 2009 at 7:31am

Steal it all and take all the credit if you so choose! I truly believe information should be free. I appreciate your concern though. Good luck with your attempt!

The Xbox clue (which is where my students are currently stuck as well) is a Wordle of Martin Luther's 95 Theses. They need to figure out the Agent name (which they actually got very, very quickly) and how to contact him via Xbox Live (which they have not yet figured out.

We have out weekly Agent meeting today and I'm thinking I'll just advance them to the next step.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Maurer on March 26, 2009 at 9:13am

Aha, I figured out that the Agent was Luther, but I am so impressed with the contacting him via XBOX Live. That was the part I did not figure out.

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Permalink Reply by Kev on April 16, 2009 at 5:59pm

Here's a tip I learned today (the hard way!)

If you ever feel like your kids are losing interest just set up a clue that leaves you personally baffled. This happened to me today and the kids now are not so sure I'm running the show. They were convinced up to today that I was behind everything but since I messed up a clue and completely got us stuck they aren't sure.

Truth is, I just blew it!

Now I've got to scramble to find a fix that fits within the storyline. Oh well, I will and now they are more interested than ever! Not bad for a project going on almost 3 months now.

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Permalink Reply by Cameron Foster on April 16, 2009 at 6:11pm

Fantastic stuff. Hey, did you ever get the parents 'in' on your role in the ARG? How did you do this?

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Permalink Reply by Kev on April 16, 2009 at 7:09pm

I never even told the parents what I was doing. They still don't know lol.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Maurer on April 16, 2009 at 7:32pm

My interest in my ARG dwindled quickly. I had promoted my ARG to all 300 plus sixth graders in my school(I only teach 100 of them) and had about 130 students take the packet. From there I currently only have about 7 students still involved. I was just curious what techniques you used to keep the interest high. I send out a weekly letter from Agent Hermes every Monday in our school announcements. Part of me thinks it was just bad timing as I promoted this as the weather went from cold to warm here in Iowa and we are getting ready to take the 100 kids camping for a week.

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