Topic 5 Exercise 2

Social architects and online games

1. What is a social architect?

In the broadest sense, the definition of a social architect is a person who translates society's wants and needs into a physical, well-built structure or how to best to engineer a social system that is used for human interaction.

2. Investigate and compare the following online communities and become a member.

Shuffle brain is a game that is used to keep the users reactions sharp. Most age groups would be able to play this game. It allows the user to make their own games (using personal pictures) to increase relevance to the players, keeping it social and educational.
Whyville is a game aimed at students in middle school (12-14 age group). It was developed to increase the interest in math’s and science. It is animated and allows for interaction between users. There are a range of games in Whyville that the players can select. It encourages conversations between players (social skills) and the games are educational on a range of topics.

3.Online community, Objective Rules of Engagement & Unique features

shufflebrain To exercise the visual system of the player. The player is required to find and select the matching part of the picture. Ratings are given at the end of each game. The idea is to keep playing and to improve your rating. There are also other awards for the player to achieve by completing a milestone. These can be for playing, discussing, and creating games. These awards will show on the players profile.

Objective Rules of Engagement
There is a tutorial game to show the player how to play the game.24 seconds per photo in which to accurately select the correct detail required.

Unique features
Need to be a member of Facebook


Whyville Researchers have identified the middle school years as a time when children, especially girls, lose their interest in math and science. Studies suggest that exposure to engaging educational and in particular scientific activities during this critical period can substantially influence future academic and career choices. Whyville is a virtual city, which engages young people in constructive educational activities while promoting socially responsible behavior.

Objective Rules of Engagement
Your job is to properly store the foods that are on the table where they belong. In the Refrigerator, food is separated into Produce, Dairy, and Meat shelves. In the Dry Goods Rack, you need to keep the foods in Alphabetical order. The clock starts ticking when you pick up your first food. If you store all the foods before the clock runs out, you'll get a clam for each food you stored. Tip: If someone is holding that last piece and won't put it down, throw some projectiles at them to make them drop the item.

Unique features
Chat licence required to educate the users to report anyone asking for personal details such as address, email addresses and passwords etc

4. Try to find out who is behind the organization and management of the community. Are they true social architects?

Yes with Shufflebrain, they built a smart game for a social network (Facebook). Amy Jo Kim is an internationally recognized expert in online social architecture and Scott Kim is one of the world’s most prolific and versatile puzzle designers, they had been inspired by the increase in Brain Games, and where passionate about creating games that keep the player sharp and socially connected.