The next ‘hot thing’ in social media has captured the attention of students at IT Sligo.
SCVNGR is a location-based mobile game that can be downloaded for free on the iPhone and Android smart phones. It takes the form of an online treasure hunt with challenges that earn points and prizes.
IT Sligo is the first and only higher education institute in Ireland to have use the application on campus.
A SCVNGR hunt was set up at IT Sligo with trek’s all around the campus. Students were awarded points by completing fun challenges such as taking photos of the campus wind turbine or answering questions such as the name of the coffee shop in the Innovation Centre.
BB in Marketing and Event Management student Cathal O Fearraigh and Postgraduate Research student Padraig Varley were awarded with IT Sligo merchandise for their efforts.
Engineering lecturer Brian Coll devised the ‘trek’ around the campus; “SCVNGR is tipped to be the next big thing in location-based gaming for mobile phones and IT Sligo are delighted to be the first college in Ireland to implement it. There is great potential for applications like this in a third level setting, for open days, induction days and for clubs and society events. Location based application are really taking off and they are an interesting and interactive way for students to familiarise themselves with the campus.”
Irish businessman Barry Maloney recently joined the board of SCVNGR following Balderton Capitals €15 million investment in SCVNGR. It already has the backing of Google Ventures and Highland Capital Partners.
Lecturer and SCVNGR trek creator Brian Coll presents students Cathal O Fearraigh and Padraig Varley with their prizes.