If video games make that much money and garners that much attention from our youth, why not use some of the same strategies and technologies in our schools?
foursquare offers students a real-life game style experience. They go to different locations and check in, gain access to deals and exclusive opportunities, and earn titles and badges for their work (just like stickers in elementary school). You'd be amazed at what young people are willing to do to get a 'Mayor' badge on foursquare.
One of the biggest struggles teachers have in creating game-like experiences is that they don't think they're 'cool' enough to design something students will like and use. This isn't a problem!
Students are great designers. They know what's cool and what their peers like (I dare you to ask a middle schooler about what makes popular kids popular, they'll give you a dissertation!). Allow students to design, create, test and evaluate a learning experience using a mobile device (iPod Touch, iPad, smartphone, etc.) and foursquare.
Students can design a scavenger hunt around the school (or around the 6th grade hall if you worry about them venturing too far). If you teach Social Studies, have the game designers create clues that center around government history. Players have to read a clue and guess what the answer is. Based on the answer they go to a new location around the hall to receive the next clue.
The more clues the find and 'unlock,' the more titles and badges they earn. The game could go on forever. Just continue to generate clues and pass out titles and badges!
