Familiarisation with the new environment, staff and friendship formation: using QR whodunnit mystery activity for students transitioning into HE

Transition is an ongoing process of moving from one context and set of interpersonal relationships to another (Jindal-Snape, 2010). Transition research suggests that most students are both excited and concerned about forming relationships with new peers and staff, as well as navigating their new environment (Jindal-Snape, 2013). This applies to students moving to universities. With this in mind, using mobile technology and strategically placed QR codes, a Whodunnit small group activity was conducted with PGDE Primary and Secondary education students in a Scottish University to familiarise them with the new environment, peers and staff in a fun way. Another purpose of this exercise was to help students to get to know each other through this small group activity that involved problem solving using some clues. Further, as previous research had suggested that even when a group of unfamiliar students were brought together in a competitive environment, they were quick in forming relationships to win against other groups (Jindal-Snape, Baird & Miller, 2011), the Whoddunit activity involved the small groups of students split into competing against each other to find the culprit and to be back at the designated point first.