Unless you've been living under a rock, you will have heard that Pokemon Go has taken over the world. Children and adults alike have been playing the game which requires users to wander their local cities, finding and capturing Pokemon, and eventually training them in Poke-gyms. It is only a matter of time until schools start banning students from playing the game at school, but what if you could instead embrace the craze? Pokemon Go has the following potential curriculum applications:
- PE/Sport (Cross-Country/Running/Fitness) - Pokemon Go encourages children to get out and move. Why not tie the game into a cross-country course and see who can catch the most Pokemon the fastest and get back first? Or turn on a pedometer app as well and see who can generate the most steps around the school in the hunt for Pokemon.
- Geography (Mapping) - As the game shows a real-time map of roads, this is a great way of teaching students about how to determine direction and distance. See if they can guess what particular locations are on the map, based on their own local knowledge.
- SOSE - Studying local history or environment? Use the game to get students out on the weekend and see what new locations they can discover. Share results when you're back in class.
- Technology - The Augmented Reality aspect of this game is pretty astounding. When you find the Pokemon, the AR camera makes it appear as though the Pokemon are actually in the yard/classroom/street in which you are standing. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate AR before using something like Aurasma to create your own.
These are just a few of the potential classroom applications. Obviously, there are elements like maths in calculating points and attack potential, but the applications above require no stretch of the imagination, while tying in nicely to student interests to meet the kids where they are.
As with any game or app, there are some cautions to watch for. Some of these include:
- The big one: don't run into walls/traffic/other people while playing. This is particularly easy to do with this game as it is quite engrossing. It goes without saying that this app should never be used while operating any sort of vehicle, including bikes and skateboards.
- The app does access location. The service agreement states that you will be broadcasting your username and location to other users, so consider using a generic username and sign up with an account that does not use your real name. There is an element of calculated risk involved. Consider turning off your location services when you are not actively playing the game.
- Don't enter any areas that are out of bounds just to catch a Pokemon. Wait for them to come to you (there is an incense tool in the game for just this purpose) and make sure children realize they shouldn't enter dark or dangerous areas alone. The game doesn't know what areas of town are safe. User discretion and common sense is still required.
- Be aware that Pokemon Go chews battery and data. You can change a setting in the game that uses a power saving mode, you can try turning the brightness down on your screen and turn off the Augmented Reality feature, but the use of GPS and the camera will drain your battery. Your data use will also be quite high if you play for several hours. You can consider only playing in locations with free wifi, or accept the fact that this game might be free, but it will probably cost you a bit in excess data fees.
This game is fun. I encourage teachers to embrace the excitement to find some curriculum outcomes. Your kids will thank you and you will be working with the tide, instead of against it. If you're not going to use it in class, give it a go on your weekend so you can see what all the fuss is about. Gotta catch 'em all!