James Madison University
JMU Scholarly Commons
Libraries
Libraries & Educational Technologies
11-15-2013
Review: The Information Literacy Game (in
Gaming and Gamification Part II)
Kelly Giles
James Madison University, [email protected]
Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.lib.jmu.edu/letfspubs
Part of the Library and Information Science Commons
Recommended Citation
Giles, K. (2013). Review: The Information Literacy Game. In Gaming and gamification part II. Public Services Quarterly, 9(4),
300-309. doi:10.1080/15228959.2013.842403
This Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Libraries & Educational Technologies at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted
for inclusion in Libraries by an authorized administrator of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected].
This is the accepted manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Public Services
Quarterly on November 15, 2013. The published version is available online at
http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/15228959.2013.842403.
The Information Literacy Game
http://applications.library.appstate.edu/elearn/game
Visited: Spring 2013
Reviewer: Kelly Giles, Applied Sciences Librarian, James Madison University
The Information Literacy Game is a Web-based board game developed by librarians
Scott Rice and Amy Harris. Gameplay is similar to Trivial Pursuit. Players must answer
multiple choice questions from four color-coded categories, such as “Searching/Using
Databases” and “Cite Your Sources/Avoid Plagiarism”. Correct answers are rewarded with a
token of the appropriate color. To win the game, players must collect all four tokens and then
correctly answer an additional question from each category.
Players receive immediate feedback on their answers, making the game an instruction
tool as well as a test of knowledge. After an answer is selected, the correct answer is revealed
along with explanatory comments. A results screen at the end of the game shows how many
questions from each category were answered correctly by each player. If the game is used as an
assignment, this screen can be printed to submit as proof of completion.
Up to four people can play against each other at once, although all must use the same
computer or device. The game supports the use of a mouse, keyboard, or touch screen. In solo
player mode, there is a time limit for answering each question. In multiplayer mode, players take
turns at their own pace.
While the Information Literacy Game can be played online through the Appalachian
State University website, some of the content is specific to ASU. Other librarians wishing to use
this game will probably prefer to download and customize it for their own institutions. The
game files are available for free and include instructions on how to change the questions, replace
the images, and make other modifications.
As the questions can be completely rewritten, this game can be customized to support
general or subject-specific instruction at any level. No programming experience is necessary,
although basic familiarity with HTML is helpful. The default graphics are serviceable, but
librarians may wish to redesign them to appeal to their specific user populations. For instance,
the game board could be edited to feature school colors and mascots.
In Short: This is a simple, fun online game that tests players’ information literacy
knowledge. Although the target audience is first year undergraduates, the game can be adapted
for almost any user population.
Recommended.
REFERENCES
Rice, S. (2009, August 6). ASU Information Literacy Game. Retrieved from
http://applications.library.appstate.edu/elearn/game