ARIS Experience

Since I am an iPhone user, I decided I would give the ARIS app a try. My first reaction was, “What is this?” I did not quite understand the purpose of the app, and was looking forward to seeing what it was. Setting up my profile proved easy, but slightly frustrating. Typically, apps let you skip certain parts of the sign-up process, and this one forced me to take or use a picture for my profile. I know it seems petty or silly, but it was something I didn’t want to do. I ended up covering my camera and taking a picture. Once I was finally able to move on, I looked for the quest I was told to look for. It was easy to find.

The first quest “Navegantes” was quick, but it was a great introduction to the app and what it had to offer. I got the hang of it and enjoyed going through the quest. The next quest “Guardian of the Mo'o (offsite)” had different content, but obviously similar way to go through it. I liked the fact that I got to use a map, but more specifically the map where I live. I was familiar many of the areas I ended up going through for each quest, and it made the experience all the more fun and engaging because of this.

I will say one downside to what I experienced was I wanted to to skip through some of the readings and simply move on, at times. I do not blame the app or developers for this, but it is probably an issue with being on a mobile device. It was incredibly helpful to have that engaging aspect of going back to the map and searching for the next step in the quest.

I am certainly interested using this for class, but probably not for anything more than that. I do not think it will reach that many people, or that people would go out of their way to use it. It could be good if it’s required to use in a class, and would more than likely lead to higher student engagement.