A Model for Running Effective Educational Scavenger Hunts During Campus Orientation to Onboard new University Students.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63608/ssj.3786

Keywords:

Student success, orientation, retention, game-based learning, serious game, gamification, scavenger hunt

Abstract

University orientation plays a crucial role in fostering student engagement, social integration, and retention. This practice report describes the development and refinement of a game-based orientation activity: a digital scavenger hunt designed to enhance engagement, social connectedness, and campus familiarisation. The activity was guided by the ENGAGE framework, a practical six-stage model for creating effective scavenger hunts. Over three years (2023 to 2025), it was iteratively improved based on participant feedback and evaluated using the MEEGA+ game evaluation framework. Feedback highlighted strong outcomes in social interaction, campus exploration, and enjoyment. Importantly, the initiative demonstrates how game-based activities can be scaled across years with minimal staff input. This report shares lessons learned and presents a practical, low-effort, and effective model that other institutions can adapt to improve student transitions and success through engaging, game-based orientation experiences.

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Author Biographies

Zachary Fitz-Walter, Griffith University

Dr Zac Fitz-Walter is a lecturer, researcher and game designer with a PhD in gamification, motivation and game design for mobile apps. He has designed masters and undergraduate units and curriculum at universities for a range of different degrees. He has taught a range of university courses since 2007 including Games Project, Mechanics in Action: Arcade Games, Programming for Interactive Media, Games Studies, Advanced Game Design, Game Innovation, Level Design, Interaction Design, Mobile Development, Design for Interactive Media, Gamification and Persuasive Technology, Emerging Technology, and Advanced Web Design. Over the last decade Zac has designed and built over 30 digital products including apps, games and serious games for individuals, businesses, governments and research institutions. Zac has trained governments and companies around the world on effective gamification and behavioural design through workshops, online masterclasses, and keynote speaking engagements.

Justin Carter, Griffith University

Dr Justin Carter (AFHEA) is a researcher, game designer and educator. His experience includes the design and leadership of both undergraduate and honours programs with a focus on game design and development, screen media, digital and interaction design. Justin is the Deputy Director (Learning and Teaching) and program director for the Bachelor of Games Design at the Griffith Film School, Before this, he led the Bachelor of Design (Game Design) and Esports at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). Justin also established and led the Bachelor of Games and Interactive Design for the University of Canberra. Justin is committed to providing transformative interdisciplinary learning experiences across the creative industries. He has successfully led large international study tours, and in 2018 he was awarded funding for his ‘Road to Cologne’ International games study tour. This program provides opportunities for participants to visit game design studios in London, Paris, and Cologne and to engage with industry-leading game developers. Justin has extensive experience in leading the design and creation of innovative applied research and work-integrated studio environments including, a games innovation and research lab, virtual production studio and on-campus games production studios. Justin has supervised research projects on topics such as game design, virtual reality, photogrammetry, serious and experimental games, 3D modelling, film production and animation. Justin’s doctoral research focuses on game design, specifically examining the evolution of game feel (virtual sensation) as a principle of game design.
2025 Student Success Conference

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Published

2025-07-02

How to Cite

Fitz-Walter, Z., O’Donnell, N., Hall, J., Sun, H., & Carter, J. (2025). A Model for Running Effective Educational Scavenger Hunts During Campus Orientation to Onboard new University Students . Student Success, 16(2), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.63608/ssj.3786

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Practice Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Zachary Fitz-Walter, Nicholas O’Donnell, Joshua Hall, Henry Sun, Justin Carter

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the Journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International Licence (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.