Shawnique Rhooms-Thompson - Anoki
Anoki: Interactive Learning Game
Overview:
Anoki, derived from the Ojibwe word for “to hunt,” transforms Fort York into an immersive learning experience through an app-based scavenger hunt. Participants explore The Barracks, Garrison Creek, and the Cannons to uncover artifacts that connect the fort’s history of war and peace to modern-day lessons. Using AR technology and interactive mapping, each discovery reveals a story of resilience, innovation, and community, blending history with critical thinking.
Designed for grade 7 classrooms and adaptable for families or community centers, Anoki ensures accessibility through mobility-friendly routes, digital maps, and AR options. The game fosters teamwork, reflection, and engagement, making Fort York’s history both meaningful and fun for participants.
Tools Required:
Learning Goals:
- Learn about Fort York’s historical presence and how its past ties into Toronto’s present.
- Understand the impact of war on communities and how efforts toward peace can shape the future.
- Explore the significance of artifacts and their connection to human resilience and innovation.
- Gain high level knowledge Fort York to spark curiosity for further exploration.
Activities:
Participants will embark on a digital scavenger hunt using the game app and map. They can choose to visit any of the three locations to search for artifacts:
1. The Barracks: Artifacts: include a soldier’s journal, soldiers vest, fort map, soldiers boots.
2. Garrison Creek: Artifacts: Water canteens, fishing hook, medicine plant, stray bullet.
3. The Cannons: Artifacts: Cannon ball, peace treaty, peace medallion, soldier helmet.
At each location, participants will use AR technology to visualize artifacts in their historical context. Each discovery updates the app’s map, showcasing their progress along with their peers and unlocking deeper stories about Fort York’s history.
30-Minute Game Plan:
• Introduction (5 minutes):
Brief overview of the game mechanics and rules.
Explain the points system and the “most points wins” competition.
Students are grouped and told login info.
• Gameplay (20 minutes):
Students scatter to explore locations of their choice.
Barracks
Garrison Creek
Cannons
• Wrap-Up (5 minutes):
Groups return to a central location.
Facilitator leads a short discussion on the artifacts and their significance. (Handout: Free family pass to Fort York event, to promote further engagement with the site.)
Accessibility Recommendations/Accommodations
1. Mobility-Friendly Routes: Educators: Ensure smooth paths and accessible heights for AR interactions.
2. Digital Map: Zoomable, Option for audio-guided map, Stationary game play for students unable to move physically between locations.
3. High-Contrast Visuals: Adjustable text size and clear, accessible graphics for visual impairments.
4. Audio Descriptions & Captions: Audio descriptions for AR content and captions for all audio components.
5. Simplified Instructions: Hint system in the app.
Take-Home Resource:
Title: Anoki - Educator Guide
Description: The teacher’s version of the Anoki app is designed to support educators in leading engaging and interactive classroom sessions. This version equips teachers with step-by-step instructions to guide students through the scavenger hunt, track their progress in real time, and troubleshoot any technical issues. It also includes educational prompts and discussion questions tailored to the themes of “War and Peace”. With this resource, educators can seamlessly integrate Fort York’s history into their curriculum while encouraging teamwork, critical thinking, and reflection.
Features:
1. Instructional Support: A detailed walkthrough of the app’s features, including setup, AR scanning, and artifact collection.
2. Progress Tracking: Tools to monitor individual and group progress on the map, ensuring no student falls behind.
3. Discussion Prompts: Ready-to-use questions to spark conversations about the artifacts and their historical and modern significance.
4. Troubleshooting Tips: A quick guide to resolving common technical issues, ensuring the activity runs smoothly.
Further Activity for Educators (+ 15 Minutes Optional):
Expand the learning experience by having students present their findings to the class, connecting the artifacts to each question.
Post Game Reflection Questions:
1. What was your favourite artifact and why?
2. How did the artifacts you found show the challenges people faced during times of war?
3. Can you think of any ways the lessons from Fort York’s history are still relevant today?
4. Why do you think peace treaties or agreements are important in resolving conflicts?
5. How does learning about war help us better understand peace?
Here are potential answers or ideas to listen for when asking these questions. They can guide the discussion and show whether students are engaging with the key themes of the activity:
1. What was your favorite artifact, and why?
• Answers to listen for:
• “The soldier’s journal, because it showed what daily life was like and felt personal.”
• “The peace treaty, because it reminded me of how people worked together to stop fighting.”
• “The cannonball, because it was interesting to see how war was fought in the past.”
• “The creek artifacts, because it’s cool to think about how water was so important back then.”
• What to look for: Students connecting emotionally or intellectually with artifacts and explaining why it resonated with them.
2. How did the artifacts you found show the challenges people faced during times of war?
• Answers to listen for:
• “The ration boxes showed that food wasn’t always available, and they had to make do with what they had.”
• “The soldier’s uniform buttons made me realize how hard it must have been to stay warm or protected.”
• “The cannon fragments showed how dangerous it was to fight during that time.”
• What to look for: Students recognizing hardships like limited resources, danger, and the physical or emotional toll of war.
3. Can you think of any ways the lessons from Fort York’s history are still relevant today?
• Answers to listen for:
• “The idea of teamwork is still important today in school and work.”
• “Protecting our environment, like with the creek, is something we still need to do now.”
• “Peace treaties remind us that we should always try to solve conflicts without fighting.”
• “Learning about the past helps us make better decisions for the future.”
• What to look for: Students drawing connections between historical lessons and current events or their personal lives.
4. Why do you think peace treaties or agreements are important in resolving conflicts?
• Answers to listen for:
• “They help stop fighting and let people work together to solve problems.”
• “They show that even people who disagree can find a way to get along.”
• “Without peace treaties, conflicts could go on forever.”
• “They make sure that both sides feel heard and respected.”
• What to look for: Insights into conflict resolution, collaboration, and the importance of dialogue.
5. How does learning about war help us better understand peace?
• Answers to listen for:
• “It shows us how bad war is and why we should work hard to avoid it.”
• “Learning about war helps us appreciate when we’re not fighting.”
• “It shows us the cost of war, like the lives lost and the damage caused, and makes peace seem more important.”
• “It reminds us that peace doesn’t just happen—it takes effort and understanding.”
• What to look for: Students appreciating the value of peace and understanding the sacrifices and efforts required to achieve and maintain it.
These answers will help assess whether students grasp the historical themes and how they apply to modern life. Encourage open-ended, reflective responses to foster deeper engagement!
This resource ensures teachers have the tools they need to create a seamless and impactful learning experience while making Fort York’s history accessible and exciting for their students.
App Stills:
