Title: The potential of treasure hunt games to generate positive emotions in learners: experiencing local geography and history using GPS devices

Authors: Pirita Ihamäki

Addresses: Degree Program of Cultural Management and Landscape Studies, University of Turku, Siltapuistokatu 2, Pori, Finland

Abstract: This paper presents the experiences of 2nd and 4th-class pupils in centrally located schools in Pori, Finland (110 students); here, the self-report method was used to collect information about student's experiences on the Pori Cultural Heritage Road. This paper gives a descriptive account of children's interactions using letterboxing and geocaching treasure hunt games as a creative pedagogical design where technology was exploited to solve clues. The study findings demonstrate that the children reported most positive experiences of this treasure hunt game. To summarise the results, the application of treasure hunt games for education as a new pedagogical design allows a new, innovative educational culture to emerge and invites further exploration of the learning impact of such games.

Keywords: experiential education; technology-enhanced learning; treasure hunt games; student experiences; SAM; self-assessment manikin; creative pedagogical design; positive emotions; local geography; local history; GPS; elementary schools; elementary education; geocaching; letterboxing; global positioning systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2014.060025

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2014 Vol.6 No.1, pp.5 - 20

Received: 13 Feb 2013
Accepted: 13 Jan 2014
Published online: 25 Oct 2014 *

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