Gamification of the built environment

Elvidge, Danny

Abstract

UWE Bristol is trialling an innovative online tool for location-based and game-based learning. Seppo is a software which allows tutors to set up a series of learning tasks on a ‘gameboard’ for learners to complete on their smartphones while touring the built environment (whether that be a single construction site, or an entire city). By making each task a game or challenge related to the built environment and setting conditions on how players move through the tasks, Seppo can be used for gamified learning on both an individual or team based level. This has proven to have a range of benefits far beyond that which the university first envisioned. Not only does the technique take learning out of the classroom, it makes content more engaging, gives abstract problems real life relevance, allows for real time assessment / feedback, and improves accessibility.

Seppo has been used to guide 300+ students on a city-wide introduction to the built environment with tremendously positive feedback. It’s being used to produce hybrid tours with interactive workshops for programme specific content. The software has been used on our Bristol campus to highlight the creative approaches to sustainability that would most probably normally be overlooked by visitors. New projects are now underway to push Seppo’s use beyond education into real world research into urban planning and our built environment.

Citation

Elvidge, D. (2023, April). Gamification of the built environment. Presented at (iBEE2023) Global Learning Innovations: Innovation in Built Environment Education Conference, Liverpool John Moores University

• Presentation Conference Type: Lecture
• Conference Name: (iBEE2023) Global Learning Innovations: Innovation in Built Environment Education Conference
• Conference Location: Liverpool John Moores University
• Start Date: Apr 4, 2023
• End Date: Apr 5, 2023
• Deposit Date: May 16, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 16, 2023
• Keywords: Gamification Built Environment Education Seppo
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10793447