DESIGNING APPS GAME/ MINGLING ACTIVITY

A simple, whole class mingling game/activity for teenagers and above, levels pre-intermediate
and up (possibly suitable for some elementary classes). Best for larger classes, 10 students
or more. Before running this game, check that most students use apps regularly enough, or
have done so in the past.

Students create a mini company, and design and sell apps. The "design" aspect is simple,
and consists of inventing a name for the app, and describing what it does. Nothing more, no
money, etc. Each company designs two apps; each student buys 3 apps. This takes a little
over an hour. For a one hour class, maybe tell them to design one app, or to buy only two.
Tell them time is of the essence. You need at least 15 minutes for the buying/ selling phase. It
could be split over two lessons easily enough. My pre-int/int class (13-15 year olds in China)
did it well; my elementary/pre-int class (12-14 y.o.) not so well.

STEP 1.
Ask for some of people's favourite apps. Write on the board:
What is the app called?

Then write on the board,

What does it do?

Pick one or two examples and brainstorm.

Note: social networking apps are the best choices for whole class examples, since many
students will use these.

Now tell the class, you are going to get into groups of 3 or 4, and create a company. You will
create apps, and sell them to the class.

SCENARIO:
The government has banned all existing apps. After today, they will cease to function. The
only apps you will have are those produced by your friends. Same with everyone else in [your
country]. The only apps anyone will have will be those made by you.

STEP 2:
Market research.
Just ask a few "market research questions" to the whole class, ask for a show of hands, and
write down the approximate number of students.
For example:
Do you play games on your phone?
Do you play "social" games on your phone (eg. market simulation games)?
Do you use your phone for study?
Do you use social networking apps?

About 5 questions should be sufficient. Brainstorm for more questions if you like, or just use
your own. Students were less curious about this stage than the whole class activity, so it's
best done quickly.
STEP 3
Get into groups, 3-5 ss. Think up a name for your company.

STEP 4
Invent two apps. This means answering two questions only:
What is it called?
What does it do?
Note cost is irrelevant. Everyone will buy exactly 3 apps, so they are all free.

STEP 5
Sell (mingling activity). Use the tables on the next page as handouts. I've filled them out by
way of example.

Suggested rules: you can buy from your own company, but not your own self. There should
be some sales conversation, before purchase. So if Bob and Fred have a company, Bob can
buy from Fred, but not from himself.

STEP 6: Close of business

Find the most successful company, the most successful salesperson, and the most popular
app. Give prizes as you see fit.
 SALES TABLE

APP NAME WHO BOUGHT IT CUSTOMER SIGNATURE

e.g. Our cool app Bob Bob Smith
Our cool app Sally Sally Stills
Our other app James James Carpenter
...etc.

MY PURCHASES TABLE

APP NAME COMPANY NAME SALESPERSON

SIGNATURE
e.g. Cool game app Some other company James Carpenter
Our other app Our own company (you can Some other guy who isn't
buy from your own company) me [you can buy from your
own company, but not your
own self. There should be a
sales conversation before
purchase].
Someone's social networking Fried Chicken apps Bob Smith
app.

PURCHASE TOKENS
These are an alternative to the tables, or they can be used in addition. Give every ss three
tokens. Upon purchase, they fill in the blanks, and give to the salesperson. It stops people
from just saying yes to everything. The system above, with the tables, can be "cheated",
because ss can just say yes to everyone's app, without filling out their own form.

PURCHASE TOKEN
CUSTOMER NAME _____________________________________
APP NAME ____________________________________________
WHICH COMPANY MAKES THIS APP? _____________________
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE ________________________________