Virtual Scavenger Hunts with GooseChase

Putting together a paper-and-pencil scavenger hunt as a class activity can be time-consuming and overwhelming, which is why I didn't do it at all with my classes until I found GooseChase.

GooseChase is an online platform that allows anyone (education-related or not) to set up a scavenger hunt that participants complete by using the camera and video tools on their mobile devices. Students can participate individually or be part of a team. When you create a game, you determine the type of "missions" that students need to complete, assign a point value to each mission, and set the length of time that the game will last.

Below is a screenshot of my teacher dashboard as I set up a game for a math class. All of the missions below are photo missions, but you can also set up missions that require students to take videos, type in text, or use the GPS feature on their devices to go to a particular location.

Teachers can sign up for free to start, but you can upgrade for more capabilities. The paid accounts are useful if you want to use GooseChase with your school for PD or a larger class/grade since the free account only allows 5 teams to join one game.

Pricing options for educators.

GooseChase is great for a fun Friday activity, field trips, professional development, team-building, etc. We used it as a way for students to stay engaged and active during an 8th grade graduation trip to Washington, D.C. After we returned from the trip, we could upload the photos and videos the students took during the game into a slideshow for the parents. It's a great way for students to take advantage of their mobile devices and learn while being active. Once you get the hang of how it works, you'll definitely want to add it to your "teacher toolbox" of student engagement strategies.

Example of a completed mission in a game