On 1st October we trialled our new software for location-based learning, Seppo, with the fantastic Urban Orienteering event around Bristol.
The aim of the event was for students new to the department to get to know the city, its buildings and each other. It started from UWE Bristol’s Arnolfini building on the harbourside and within minutes of starting there were 46 groups of students out in the city, navigating to the 18 locations that had been set out for them. A steady stream of groups followed and by 1pm there were 300 students taking part.
Over 100 students have started the tour before the 1200 start time! The Built Environment Society members are having to work hard! #UWEBES2122 @UWEArchBuiltEnv @CASSART1984 pic.twitter.com/tUhVodDN7i
— Danny Elvidge (@BuildSciences) October 1, 2021
The image below shows the staff view of Seppo as the event was underway. Each yellow dot represents a group of students as they head towards the locations, pictured here as grey gemstones, around the city centre.
Using GPS technology to know when they are nearby, Seppo displayed information and tasks on the students’ smartphones as they approached each of the locations on foot. Tasks included taking selfies from the locations and responding to questions of various types.
Staff watched as the responses arrived in real time from students around the city.
To the 300 UWE students touring Bristol today. Well done! We can see your answers pouring in!#UWEBES2122 @UWEArchBuiltEnv @CASSART1984 pic.twitter.com/OUxRVcP1A0
— Danny Elvidge (@BuildSciences) October 1, 2021
Points were awarded for correct answers and the best photos submitted. At the end of the day at the final location, St Nicholas Market, prizes were given out by Danny Elvidge, the ABE lecturer who took the lead with the event this year.
Over 300 students led faultlessly across Bristol using the new Seppo app! This sort of mass event would have been impossible without @TELivising and the @FETLIU pic.twitter.com/k9M0bDeALP
— Danny Elvidge (@BuildSciences) October 1, 2021
The students had a great time and it was a brilliant first trial of Seppo too. Here’s some of their feedback:
“It was a great way to introduce students to their new city.”
“Went really well. Good way to look around the city at different areas for new students in the area. And also great way to meet new people.”
“Well organised. Students enjoyed it a lot which is also due to the simple setup. Definitely worth to use again.”
All the staff involved were delighted with how the new software performed on the day and we believe it has huge potential for supporting location-based and gamified learning at UWE. In this first trial we started cautiously and didn’t use most of the more advanced features available in Seppo. We are now busy putting our heads together developing new ideas and looking forward to developing many more fantastic learning experiences for our students this academic year.
If you’d like to find out more about FET’s plans for using Seppo and to discuss ideas you may have for its use, contact oliver.haslam@uwe.ac.uk.