Pokemon in Mundelein school helps kids catch on to research

Submitted by Fremont School District 79

"Pokemon Go" is a pop culture craze that Fremont School District 79 teachers have embraced as a teaching tool for their students. In the hallways, cafeteria and staircase "Pokemon Go" is entertaining students, while teachers are using the creature to educate them.

In Susan Wittenkeller's fourth-grade class in Mundelein, she combined augmented reality with learning school rules. Now that all students have their own iPad, students took an adventure through the school in search of Pokemon characters. Wittenkeller used an augmented reality program, Aurasma, which gave students clues that lead them to an image that they scanned into their iPad translating it into a Pokemon character. Once they caught the character, they were given the challenge of researching the animal that the Pokemon character represented.

One challenge asked, "This reminds us how to safely walk up and down the stairs." Another, "This is our school mascot."

"The Pokemon I used were all based on specific species with traits and features unique to certain types of animals. Students researched, organized and evaluated information; collecting data; and used a variety of tools to organize their Pokedeck," Wittenkeller said.

"I wanted to connect getting the new iPads with safety rules and active learning when I came across 'Pokemon Go,'" Wittenkeller said. "I thought, this is a great opportunity to embrace technology as educators and show students that learning can take place while having fun."

The class discussed technology safety tips while students worked with partners to create their own Pokemon and Pokeball using valuable traits and features.

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