Community Corner

Summer Boredom? Libraries' 'Questyinz' Is the Answer

Questyinz invites K-5 students to engage in learning quests through a combination of books, educational websites and real-world experiences.

This Saturday, libraries throughout Allegheny and Washington counties will launch a second year of "Questyinz©" as an answer to summertime boredom.

The Allegheny County Library Association will release Questyinz 2.0 with expanded content and features. An online learning game, Questyinz invites K-5 students to engage in learning quests through a combination of books, educational websites and real-world experiences.  

Cranberry Township students can begin the adventure with a visit to the nearby Northern Tier Regional Library centers to pick up a complimentary Questyinz game card. Once students receive their cards, they can play all summer long by visiting questyinz.com at home or at the library. 

With Questyinz, youths can engage in their own self-guided and experience-based summer learning. First piloted in 2012, Questyinz is among the first summer learning programs nationally to blend the need for summer reading opportunities with a more holistic and modern understanding of literacy and learning. Questyinz addresses the problem of "aliteracy"—being able to read, but lacking the motivation. 

This widespread problem often emerges during elementary school when negative attitudes toward reading traditionally begin. ACLA created Questyinz  to utilize gaming to motivate reluctant readers while challenging prolific readers to discover self-directed learning adventures.  

Students choose avatars and complete quests to earn badges and points towards virtual rewards. Students can choose from hundreds of grade level topics in 17 categories, including Pittsburgh and My Neighborhood, which feature local themes. 

Students also have the opportunity to interact with regional organizations, such as the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, through special partner quests. Many libraries provide additional on-site programs and activities to support Questyinz players.  

"Summer reading programs have been around for more than 100 years," said said Marilyn Jenkins, executive director of the Allegheny County Libraries Association. "What’s changed is how technology can enhance learning for a new generation of young explorers. Questyinz is a virtual world where amazing librarians, teachers, and partners have created exciting Quests that reinforce and improve skills. Questyinz encourages reading as one of the tools that lead to a complete educational experience—and it’s fun." 

Quests complement Common Core State Standards and local curriculum, providing students opportunities to practice and enhance their skills during the summer. 

The libraries association continues to enhance the experience of Questyinz by continually incorporating new features, content and real world programs while building partnerships with schools and educational organizations. These partners include other members of the Pittsburgh Kids + Creativity Network. Questyinz software was developed locally through the Idea Foundry with support from the Claude W. Benedum Foundation, Grable Foundation, Praxair Foundation, and Verizon READS!


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