GooseChase EDU is an edtech tool that allows educators to create scavenger hunts built around classroom materials.
These scavenger hunts can incorporate word games, pictures, searches, math work and can be used in team mode as well as individual mode. A number of preloaded scavenger hunt templates are available on GooseChase EDU that educators can use or modify to suit their individual needs.
A scavenger hunt can be a great way to foster team spirit and collaboration among students, as well as encourage active and engaged learning.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about GooseChase EDU.
What is GooseChase EDU and what does it offer teachers?
GooseChase EDU is the educational version of the GooseChase treasure hunting app. Both apps were co-created by GooseChase CEO Andrew Cross, who previously worked in product design for Apple. The non-educational version of GooseChase is frequently used at conferences and orientations, and by companies looking to encourage team building. The educational version is a great way for educators to gamify their lesson plans while facilitating active learning, collaboration and, when appropriate, friendly competition among students.
Students can compete individually or in teams, and scavenger hunts can be timed and entirely text-based or can require students to travel to certain GPS coordinates to complete missions. GooseChase missions may require students to take a photo or video at a specific location. For example, a vocabulary lesson might use GooseChase to ask students to visit the school library and look up specific words in the dictionary. An assignment for high school students might ask them to find a teacher to interview who doesn’t teach a class and have them ask a specific question related to the day’s lesson. When field trips resume, GooseChase scavenger hunts can be designed around museum visits as a fun way for students to document what they learn on the trip.
Meanwhile, the app is also well suited for distance learning and can be used to have classmates collaborate even if they are not in the same room together.
How does GooseChase EDU work?
To set up your GooseChase EDU account, go to GooseChase.com/edu (opens in a new tab) and click on the button register for free. You will be prompted to enter a username, email address and password, along with details about your school and district.
Once your account is confirmed, you can start organizing scavenger hunts. You can learn the basics of how to do this with GooseChase’s Getting Started Guide (opens in a new tab) and also choose from dozens of existing GooseChase’s games game library (opens in a new tab). These games are categorized by grade level and subject. You can also search the game library by game type. Options include indoor, outdoor, virtual, and group games.
Designing treasure hunts is easy. You can create simple missions that resemble a more traditional quiz or get more creative in your use of the tool. Whatever type of treasure hunt you have in mind, chances are there’s something in the games library that’s somewhat similar that could possibly serve as a template or give you some ideas. on how to make your own game.
What are some GooseChase EDU features
Through the app, students can:
- Enter GPS coordinates to show they arrived at a specific location
- Take photos to show they have found the treasure hunt item
- Record videos with audio to demonstrate learning in different ways
- Answer simple or complex questions through teamwork
- Enjoy an escape room or video game like experience while learning class material
How much does GooseChase Edu cost?
The Basic educator plan on GooseChase Edu is free, and lets you create unlimited games, but you can only run one live game at a time and only team mode games. Additionally, there is a limit of five teams and only five mobile devices can be used per team.
The Educator More the plan is $99 per educator per year. It gives access to 10 teams and up to 40 participants in individual mode.
The Educator premium the plan is $299 per educator per year. It allows up to 40 teams and 200 participants in individual mode.
District and school rates are available upon request from GooseChase.
What are the best GooseChase EDU tips and tricks
The GooseChase EDU Game Library
GooseChase Education game library has thousands of assignments that you can use in your courses or modify to better suit your needs. These scavenger hunts are broken down by subject, grade level, and game type. You can search for team or individual games, as well as categories like “indoors,” “field trip,” and even “building.” staff team and PD”.
Have students record and take photos
GooseChase allows students to earn points in various games by taking photos and videos of specific locations or objects. Teachers can do a lot with this ability, such as having students interview their classmates or a teacher from another class.
Use GooseChase to encourage students to visit the school library
Educators can use GooseChase to send students on library scavenger hunts, where they visit the library and search for a specific passage in a specific book, or document their research process for an assignment in any subject .
Use GooseChase for math
GooseChase can also be used in math and science lessons. For example, design a geography-themed scavenger hunt for different shapes with younger students. Older math students can earn points or rewards for solving complex equations, and there are also plenty of ways to incorporate various coding challenges into treasure hunts.
Use GooseChase on a field trip
When traveling to museums or other sites, GooseChase can be used as a fun alternative to a reaction paper. Choose key objects or areas of the museum that you would like students to visit, then ask them to take a photo and/or provide brief written responses as they go.