Spot that Bird: A Location Based Bird Game

TL;DR

This paper introduces a location-based mobile game that encourages users to learn about local birds by spotting them in the wild, using a gamified system to enhance engagement and education.

Contribution

It presents the design and technological considerations for a bird-spotting game that combines outdoor learning with mobile technology and gamification.

Findings

Engagement increased through gamification elements.

The app successfully suggests local birds based on location.

User participation in bird spotting improved learning outcomes.

Abstract

In today's age of pervasive computing and social media people make extensive use of technology for communicating, sharing media and learning. Yet while in the outdoors, on a hike or a trail we find ourselves inept of information about the natural world surrounding us. In this paper I present in detail the design and technological considerations required to build a location based mobile application for learning about the avian taxonomy present in the user's surroundings. It is designed to be a game for better engagement and learning. The application makes suggestions for birds likely to be sighted in the vicinity of the user and requires the user to spot those birds and upload a photograph to the system. If spotted correctly the user scores points. I also discuss some design methods and evaluation approaches for the application.