Topic: Diversity
I will be explaining Pokémon GO (PGO) game for young adult’s demographic. Pokémon GO , created by Niantic Inc, there mission get users to exercise, to see iconic landmarks whilst catching Pokémon at the same time (NianticKIDS, n.d.-a, para. 1). To access the game, caregivers, will receive an email because the child is “under the age of digital consent” (Niantic Inc, n.d., para. 2). Once on NianticKIDS website, parents will need to supply the email address that the child used to access the game (NianticKIDS, n.d.-b, para. 2), once logged in, caregiver can control privacy settings on how much personal information can be collected (NianticKIDS, n.d.-a, para 2, 4), approve child requests for users continue playing the game (, para. 9-10), if social activities in Pokémon GO can be approved or not (Niantic Inc, n.d., para. 12). For young adults, they would sign up for a Pokémon trainer club login to access PGO (see below).
The Pokémon Company. (n.d.). Join the pokémon trainer club! [Image]. https://www.pokemon.com/us/join-the-pokemon-trainer-club
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How was the activity relevant to your professional practice working with children and/or young adults? What gaps in your knowledge were revealed and how might you fill those gaps?
I have found the game that I have been playing engaging due to the animated Pokémon, the neon landscape that the game is surrounded in, and the chance to walk or exercise to find Pokémon which is supported by an article that players that partook in PGO for achievement found a higher likelihood to find the game interesting and challenging and fun, whilst exercising (Evans et al., 2021, pp. 549-550). I feel these qualities could drive young adults to play provided they were supported to bond with other players and interacted in game events.
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Currently, there is limited ways to interact with other users via PGO, this has meant that many users seek other communications platforms such as Discord for users 13 years old and up (Discord, n.d., para. 1) and is recommended to use for programming (Smith, 2020, para. 7-9) On the server, A text group would be to discuss general nature of life, friends chat, administered by myself. If patrons are under 13 then youth and caretakers would be given a permission form to sign similar to this (Riverside Primary School, n.d., p. 2), whilst discussing repercussions for unkind behaviour. In anticipation of PGO fest (see below), I would create an event on 16th of July, for young adults between the ages of 12-16 would be encouraged to attend. The room arrangement would be a table for crafts, make a Pikachu hat (Brittanie, 2019, May 30, para. 3-10), create a poke ball with a Pokémon inside (Unknown, 2014, Febuary 08, para. 1-11), and colour-in Pokémon mandalas (Windingpathsart.com, n.d., para. 1). Another table would feature snacks smarties, chips, a plate of fruit, the last table is to find a new friend or speak to other young adults, additionally library books out on display for anyone whom wanted to borrow them, with music featured in the Pokémon games (Tenpers, 2021).
Niantic, & The Pokémon Company. (n.d.). Trainers from around the world are invited to participate in a special two-day Pokémon GO Fest experience on July 17 and 18! Stay tuned for more details [Image]. https://pokemongolive.com/en/events/fest/2021
References
Brittanie. (2019, May 30). Pikachu hat. https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/124492/pikachu-hat
Discord. (n.d.). What is discord. https://discord.com/safety/360044149331-What-is-Discord
Evans, J., Evans, S. Z., Shank, D. B., & Fallon, Q. P. (2021). Motivations for social interaction: The case of pokémon go after the fad ended. Social Science Quarterly, 102(1), 547-551. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.12880
Niantic. (n.d.). Play where you are. https://pokemongolive.com/en/play-where-you-are
Niantic Inc. (n.d.). Niantic kids support. https://niantic.helpshift.com/a/pokemon-go/?p=web&l=en&s=safety-and-security&f=niantic-kids-support
NianticKIDS. (n.d.-a). About niantic adventures on foot with others. https://parents.nianticlabs.com/about
NianticKIDS. (n.d.-b). Niantic kids parent portal. https://parents.nianticlabs.com
Pokémon GO. (2019, December 22). Pokémon GO Buddy Stories: Leeya and Bulbasaur [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB2MCk6tRhA
Riverside Primary School. (n.d.). Internet use policy. http://riversideps.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/Internet-Policy-2012.pdf
Smith, C. (2020, June 26). How libraries can use discord and twitch. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/libraries-can-use-discord-twitch/
Tenpers. (2021, Jan 27). 5 hours of relaxing pokémon music [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48nCdWIpQU&t=24s
Unknown. (2014, February 08). Pokemon Printable. https://merryprintables.blogspot.com/2014/08/pokemon-printable.html
Windingpathsart.com. (n.d.). Pokémon. http://www.windingpathsart.com/coloring-pages-pokemon/
I have not previously played Pokémon Go but I am familiar with the concept. It could be a great way to improve digital literacy skills in a highly social, engaging activity that also encourages exercise. Although very useful for the young adult age group, I also believe that it could be a useful tool for younger age groups. Howell (2017) also agrees that Pokémon Go could be used to make connections outside the classroom with improving literacy skills within the classroom. Literacy lessons can be extended upon within the classroom by using a concept which is appealing to children at home. Howell (2017) suggests that Pokémon Go can be used to allow children opportunities to ask a research question based upon a real enquiry which they may have within the game. This can replace previously mundane writing tasks with a multimodal form which will encourage a higher level of enthusiasm with students, diversifying learning experiences to improve literacy skills.
Howell, E. (2017). Pokémon Go: implications for literacy in the classroom. Reading Teacher 70(6), 729-32. https://doi-org.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/10.1002/trtr.1565
Hi Louise. The library in which I work is actually a Pokemon ‘gym’. This means that we are often getting young people coming in trying to “battle Pokemon and gain points” (Thompson, 2016, para.3). As young adults can often be a hard user group to engage with, utilising the Pokemon phenomenon is a great way to target YA interests and communication means. A library in the US did this by dropping a “lure” which is “a special item that brings Pokemon to your location for a short time” (para. 4). Bourke argues that simply luring YA to libraries through trends is not enough, stating that such experiences need to have a “measurable and meaningful benefit other than simply increased visitor numbers” (2010, p.98). The library in the US did this by meeting the Pokemon players as they arrived and showcasing the technologies that the library had to offer. They also promoted upcoming youth events and provided opportunities for individuals to register as members of the library (Thompson, 2016, para.3). In doing so, the library utilised YA interests and technologies to connect YA users with information and the wider community.
References:
Bourke, C. (2010). Library Youth Spaces vs Youth Friendly Libraries: How to Make the Most of What You Have. https://openurl-ebsco-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/xwh%3A502999331/detail?sid=lih&volume=23&date=2010-09&spage=98&issn=1030-5033&stitle=&genre=article&issue=3&title=Australasian%20public%20libraries%20and%20information%20services.&epage=102
Thompson, S. (2016). Why Pokemon Go and The Library is a perfect partnership. https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2016/07/pokemon-go-library-perfect-partnership/