Large Group Gaming: Smarty Pants at the Senior Center
Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
The goal of this particular program was to introduce senior adults to the Wii system, to demonstrate the basics of game control/interaction, and to allow everyone to participate in a trivia contest. The program also provided an opportunity to discuss the ways that library services have evolved to include technology and gaming programs.
The Outreach Department of PLCMC serves patrons throughout the county in a variety of settings and facilities. The overall goal of the department is to take library services to patrons who are unable to access the library in traditional ways.
Running the Program
The library provided one Wii system, the game Smarty Pants (EA, 2008), and a digital projector and screen (note that the projector and screen are optional depending upon the program site’s existing equipment setup).
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One of the library’s Outreach Specialists served as the host or emcee for the game. She read the questions aloud as they appeared on screen. This was helpful for participants who are visually impaired. |
She also read the multiple choice answers for each question, and polled the entire group to find out their choice before selecting the answer using the remote.
Everyone worked together to answer the questions. It encourages interaction among the participants, and leads to a group sense of accomplishment at the end of each round. The group was challenged to surpass their previous score with each new round of play. Interested participants were also given a chance to use the remote to select the answers after the initial round.
Marketing
This was a regularly scheduled program that is part of the Outreach Department’s efforts to serve older adults throughout the community. At some sites, an activities coordinator advertises the gaming programs directly to the residents/patrons. This is done based on information received from the library when the program is booked.
Facility
The Outreach Department hosted this program in a Charlotte (NC) senior nutrition site. The facility has a large room with tables and seating for over 50 people.
Literacy Connections
Large group gaming created a community of learners. The groups were able to pool their collective knowledge and experience, addressing gaps in their knowledge and understanding each others’ information needs. With each new question, the players sought out the needed information through their group, but often were required to analyze, discuss, and think critically about conflicting answers to make their decision. The groups drew conclusions on the most appropriate answer based on the information they had. When answers were incorrect, groups had to reflect and then refine their information and individuals’ credibility and apply those lessons to future questions.
Impact
For the majority of participants at this location, this program was their first experience with the Wii. Several people were reluctant at first to use the Wiimote controller, but after a hands-on demonstration, they became eager to try it. This gave library staff a chance to address issues of technology anxiety that sometimes appears with senior adult programs. After the program, library staff received positive comments from participants and staff at the nutrition site. They inquired about scheduling additional gaming programs as well as recommended games in case they were able to purchase their own Wii.
Funding
The Outreach Department has an annual budget for programming and supplies. The Wii and game are used for programs by the entire Outreach staff, as well as branch staff as scheduling allows.
Gaming materials: $290.00
- 1 Wii gaming system: (console, 1 nunchuck, 1 Wiimote, sensor bar, and Wii Sports) $250.00
- 1 Wii “Smarty Pants” game @$40.00
A/V materials: $800.00 (depending on what the outreach facility already has this may not be necessary)
- projector: $700.00
- screen: $100.00
Resources
For more information, please contact Jason Hyatt at jhyatt@plcmc.org.
Smarty Pants, a trivia game for the Wii
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