Your smartphone is a powerful tool for civic engagement

There’s been some buzz about civic and educational games that create a virtual civic learning environment. But why engage in virtual civic engagement when we can use our smartphones to create real-life games that can impact our community? It’s a concept I call Reality-Based Civic Gaming  (RCG).

Shifting from virtual environments to games on our smart phones is a real possibility, since our mobile devices are advancing exponentially.  All we need is a few free applications and a little bit of organized ingenuity. Here are a few apps that I feel could be used to create RCG games with current smartphone technology. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. QR code scanner (free; android, iphone, blackberry)

QR Code Example (click to enlarge)

QR codes (or Quick Response Codes)  are an alternative to the bar code. They can store up to 250 characters of information including links. The benefit of this technology is that upon scanning, the user is automatically provided with the link/information that they can access on their mobile device.

So, why not just print out a URL and stick it on buildings instead? Because QR codes are faster and get the user to engage immediately. If you find a URL somewhere, you have to manually type it into your phone. But with a QR code, you scan it and you’re immediately presented with a website or a bit of information. (or both in the case of our YourPBC.org QR code above)

How are QR codes used now?

How can we use QR codes for civic engagement?

Think high-tech scavenger hunts. You can store clues, links, and information in QR codes hidden throughout your local community (like a more information-rich version of GeoCaching)

This would be beneficial for Historical Societies, Days of service, etc. to get people out of their homes, and into the community. It’s free and easy and anyone can generate QR codes using services like Kaywa. You could easily plan, create, print and execute a QR code scavenger hunt in a weekend.

2. Foursquare (free; android, iphone, blackberry)

Foursquare Screens (click to enlarge)

Foursquare is a location-based service that uses GPS and allows you to “check-in” to your current location and share it with your friends. You get rewarded for multiple check-ins with their badge system, and you can “compete” with your peers.

How is Foursquare used now?

  • Bragging rights: You can become a “mayor” of an establishment, basically proving that you have nothing better to do than spend your nights at the same bar/restaurant. (there are many more badges, but most are quite frivolous!)
  • Coupons: Establishments reward frequent “check-ins” with a special discount for getting mayor “status”.

How can Foursquare be used for civic engagement?

I propose a simple modification to Foursquare. Allow people to check-in as “customer, employee, or volunteer” and provide separate badges for the 3 categories.

The volunteer classification would be great for nonprofits. It’d provide an easy way to track volunteers and their interests, and if Foursquare developed badges for volunteers there would be more “gaming” encouragement for people to volunteer with local nonprofits.  Also, there may be a way for restaurants and shops to provide special offers for those with volunteer badges, as a way to further encourage volunteerism in the community.

Kind of off-topic, but relevant: Customer & employee categories would allow foursquare to distinguish between those who frequent an establishment, and those who work at an establishment (currently, I’m the “mayor” of the Community Foundation where I used to work, lol)

3. Layar (free; android, iphone)

Layar Reality Browser Screenshot (click to enlarge)

Layar is an Augmented Reality application that allows you view “layars” of virtual information over a real world view. (quite similar to Terminator Vision or Vh1’s Pop-up video )

The technology uses GPS coordinates and compares them to uploaded “layar maps” which then give you added information about your surroundings in a visual format.

How is Layar used now:

How can Layar be used for civic engagement?

Similar to the QR code example, this could be a way of adding information to our surroundings. Due to its visual component, it lends itself to adding volumes of information to any location, which could be used for visualized scavenger hunts to 3D models of future parks or affordable housing.

Are there any other apps you can think of, or new ways to use them? Know of any organizations that are already doing this? Let me know in the comments!