Tuesday Tech Links: Gaming

Feb 01 2011 Published by under Future, Gaming, Tuesday Tech Links

I have mentioned Jane McGonigal a number of times on Library Bazaar and last night I had the pleasure of hearing her speak at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto as part of the promotional tour for her new book Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World (expect a review here soon). During her talk she mentioned a number of games or applications of game mechanics that illustrate how games can be used to bring about real world positive change. They are worth having a look at and perhaps thinking about how libraries could use similar approaches to engaging our users.

1) EteRNA (Science)

The video game, called EteRNA, was designed by scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University. EteRNA taps gamers’ skills to accelerate biochemists’ understanding of DNA’s once-unsung chemical cousin, RNA. Gamers — no experience is necessary — design molecules composed of RNA, which is now “the emerging superstar in the field of biochemistry,” according to Rhiju Das, PhD, assistant professor of biochemistry at Stanford.

2) Groundcrew (Community)

Using our web interface, worthy projects, organizations, and businesses can build “squads” of real-world helpers/participants. Organizers can view data from their squad in real-time, using text messaging and GPS; they can see who’s available at any moment; and they can give assignments, either mass assignments or systems of individual assignments, to help people work together.

3) Nike+ (Health)

This year Nike is bringing you a whole new batch of Nike+ Challenges to keep your miles up and your motivation sky high! Keep an eye out for a new Featured Challenge from Nike on the first day of every month, and join up for your chance to score some of the latest Nike Running gear.

Wildcard) Find the Future: The Game (Libraries)

On May 20, 2011, a very big game with the New York Public Library will launch. It’s called Find the Future: the Game… and if you between the ages of 15 and 29, and are anywhere near New York City, you will want to save the night of May 20 (all night — 8 PM to 6 AM) to have an incredible, once-in-the-lifetime experience.

Fiero indeed!

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A Sermon from Jane McGonigal: On Productivity

Dec 01 2010 Published by under Gaming, Librarians, Present

A talk by Jane McGonigal given at The School of Life in London, England.

It is worth while checking out The School of Life if you are a librarian, as it might spark ideas for a few interesting programs at your own library.

The School of Life is a new social enterprise offering good ideas for everyday living.

We are based in a small shop in Central London where we offer a variety of programmes and services concerned with how to live wisely and well.

We address such questions as why work is often unfulfilling, why relationships can be so challenging, why it’s ever harder to stay calm and what one could do to try to change the world for the better.

The School of Life is a place to step back and think intelligently about these and other concerns. You will not be cornered by any dogma, but directed towards a variety of ideas – from philosophy to literature, psychology to the visual arts – that tickle, exercise and expand your mind. You’ll meet other curious, sociable and open-minded people in an atmosphere of exploration and enjoyment.

They even offer bibliotheraphy and do an excellent job of explaining why you might like to give it a try!

Oh, and do go join Jane’s Gameful. You might even find some librarians there…

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SuperBetter, how games can save your life

Jul 21 2010 Published by under Alternate Reality Games, Present

Last summer game designer Jane McGonigal (who I have spoken about before on this blog) suffered a traumatic brain injury, that was serious enough to have led her to thoughts of suicide. After showing little sign of recovery she responded by turning her life into a game called SuperBetter.  Her story serves as a very real example of the transformative nature of play and games. Continue Reading »

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Tuesday tech links

Sep 08 2009 Published by under Internet, Present, Social software, Tuesday Tech Links

Rather than talk about specific technologies, this week I thought I would post the technology/social media authors or researchers that I believe are worth paying attention to.

One. Alice Marwick is a PhD candidate at the Department of Media, Culture and Communication at New York University and her dissertation is on social status and elitism in Web 2.0 communities. I originally began to read her for her earlier work on microcelebrity and internet fame.

Two. Jane McGonigal is a game designer and researcher, who focuses on pervasive gaming and alternate reality games, and is currently the Director of Game Research and Development at the Institute for the Future. She is especially interested in the way games can be used to improve the world and impact player’s cognitive processes, social relations and public participation, an interest that can be clearly seen in her work in World Without Oil, a multi-player online game designed to examine the challenges of a future without petroleum.

Three. Aleks Krotoski is a journalist for The Guardian newspaper and hosts their technology podcast, and also an academic in the process of completing her PhD in social psychology, where she is examining how information spreads through online social networks. She is also currently working on the BBC series Digital Revolution, about the social history of the Web, for broadcast next year.

Continue Reading »

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