The format and planning for this year’s library orientation programme swung uncertainly between in-person and online amid the unpredictable COVID-19 situation during the months of April and May. Orientation 2021 was eventually to be an online event just like the previous year.
The NIE Library partnered with the Orientation Planning Management Committee (OPMC) to design an online activity for the Transition Orientation Programme (TOP). Taking the format of an online game, the activity aimed to introduce freshmen to library services and facilities available to them.
The game's starting screen
Titled Cure Finder to align with the TOP theme of a race against time to find the ultimate cure, the online quiz challenges participants to gather all possible clues to solve a puzzle by answering as many questions correctly as possible.
The game comprised of three rounds with increasing levels of difficulty. During the game, participants were supposed to find answers to quiz questions on the library portal, library catalogue, newsletter and Instagram. For the easy mode, participants had to answer yes / no questions. Next, the medium mode required participants to pick the answers for multiple choice questions. For the final challenge, the difficult mode comprised of open-ended questions. The game was scored out of a total of 100 points.
Questions and answers from the game.
The overall response to the game was good.
95% of participants strongly agreed or agreed that they enjoyed playing the game according to a post-activity survey.
Additionally, 88% of the participants strongly agreed or agreed that they have learnt more about NIE Library facilities, services and resources.
We are heartened by the constructive feedback from participants and look forward to improving the experience in future iterations of the programme!