Undergraduate Position: Alternate Reality Game/Transmedia Storytelling

By way of introduction, my name is Kari Kraus. I'm an Associate Professor in the College of Information Studies and the Department of English.  I'm writing to announce a one-semester undergraduate position that pays $11.00/hour for 20 hrs/week. The job involves helping University of Maryland researchers manage, design, implement, and evaluate a large-scale transmedia project. The work being undertaken is part of a larger project sponsored by the National Science Foundation exploring Alternate Reality Games (or transmedia narratives) in the service of education.  Project partners include Brigham Young University, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, NASA, and the Computer History Museum. An ARG is a form of interactive storytelling whose narrative elements are distributed over multiple "real-world" platforms, including books, mobile devices, and personal computers.  They often require participants to solve puzzles, answer riddles, and track down information in order to advance the storyline.  Examples of popular commercial ARGs include games such as “The Beast,” “I Love Bees,” and “The Lost Experience.”  Although ARGs have been used primarily for entertainment, we believe they can also provide unique and powerful educational opportunities.  World Without Oil and ARGOSI are among the growing number of ARGs created with educational, 'serious game' goals in mind.  

If you're looking for part-time work and are interested in interactive, game-based storytelling that will support educational experiences, we invite you to submit an application. Because the successful applicant will be involved in nearly every aspect of the project, good writing, communication, and organizational skills are essential. Tasks and responsibilities will include some combination of the following:

·         helping plan and run an advisory board meeting in spring 2014;

·         participating in and contributing to design meetings;

·         helping plan and facilitate co-design sessions with teens and undergraduates;

·         play-testing game modules and prototypes;

·         conducting and writing up research in support of game design;

·         working with teachers in ARG/game workshops;

·         monitoring, updating, and organizing content in our project management system;

·         assisting with administrative elements (e.g., scheduling meetings, logistics of advisory board members’ visits, etc.)

Application process: please send an email cover letter explaining your qualifications and interest in the project, along with a CV/resume and two references, to Kari Kraus at karimkraus@gmail.com by COB Monday, February 10, 2014. We will notify applicants of our decision approximately 2-3 weeks after the deadline.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.