Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does Waypoint EDU cost?
A: Waypoint EDU is free! Get it on the App Store here. Note: the free edition also offers add-on content as in-app purchases (IAPs).
Q: Do you offer a Volume Purchase Program (VPP) edition of Waypoint EDU?
A: Yes! And the VPP edition includes the add-on content already unlocked. Learn more here or get it from the Volume Purchase portal directly here.
Q: Which iOS devices are compatible with Waypoint EDU?
A: Waypoint EDU is compatible with any iOS 11+ device that Apple lists as capable of using ARKit. To play the game (which involves an outdoor geocaching "Hunt") the device must additionally have GPS, which includes the following listed iPhone and iPad models.
Currently, we support these iPhone models: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE.
and these iPad models: iPad Pro (12.9-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (9.7-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular.
Q: How do I find a Waypoint when playing?
A: When playing the game, use the map to navigate to a Waypoint map marker. Once you are near enough to the marker, a Waypoint Nearby button will appear. Tap the button to enter Find Waypoint / augmented-reality mode. The Waypoint will be in the nearest clear area on the ground. Slowly move the device left and right, forward and back, until the 3D model begins to appear.
Once the model fully appears, point your device at it to "locate" the Waypoint.
Q: How do I transfer a Hunt to a student device?
A: To transfer a Hunt, first choose the Hunt from the Create menu. Next, in the upper right of the screen, tap on the Share button. You can transfer using AirDrop, Messages, email, or one of the other listed sharing options.
Note: AirDrop is preferred.
Q: How do I receive a Hunt?
A: Receiving Hunts is as simple as accepting an AirDrop transfer or tapping on a received Hunt file in Messages or Mail. The Hunt will automatically open in Waypoint EDU and you will be prompted to either begin the Hunt or save it for later.
Q: How do I define a Playfield?
A: From the Create menu, first choose a Hunt or create a new Hunt. Next, tap Define the Playfield. On the Playfield screen, you can tap Draw Playfield to put the map into drawing mode. Trace an outline around the region in which you'd like to play.
Q: How do I randomize the position of Waypoints on the Playfield?
A: After a Playfield has been defined, tapping the circular yellow button just above and to the left of the Draw Playfield button will shuffle the position of the Waypoints.
Q: How do I manually position Waypoint map markers on the Playfield?
A: To manually position a Waypoint map marker, tap once on the marker to select it. Then tap again and hold your finger on the marker… after a short delay, the marker will lift and you can drag it to a new position.
Q: How Do I Play an Indoor Hunt?
A: Indoor Hunts are played using our printable Waypoint Cards.
- From the Create menu, choose an official hunt, like "Wonders of the World" or the add-on, "Ancient Rome". (Note: add-ons may require in-app purchase.)
- Next, switch from Outdoor Hunt to Indoor Hunt, and tap View/Print Hunt Cards. Then, choose either Letter or A4 format, depending on your paper size. Print all of the pages in color (you can exclude the first page if you wish).
- Place the pages in your classroom or in a room in your home. The players must locate each photo in order, and each photo is uniquely keyed to an AR scene.
- Play through all of the Waypoint Cards to complete the Hunt!
Q: Can I use Waypoint EDU for knowledge assessment?
A: Once a Hunt is complete, the player/student is taken to the Hunt Log, an end-of-game stats screen. This screen currently displays info about each Waypoint, along with sparse statistics about play time and quiz question accuracy.
The data on this screen can be exported as a PDF to be saved or transferred back to the teacher/parent device.
Q: Can I use my own 3D assets?
A: Importing and using third-party 3D art is currently unsupported, but is something we are interested in supporting in a future version.
Q: When will Waypoint EDU be available for Android and/or Chromebooks?
A: We get asked this a lot. Currently we're focused only on supporting iPhone and iPad. We're evaluating other platforms, but have nothing to announce at this time.
Q: What is geocaching?
A: From Wikipedia:
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
Waypoint EDU is designed for small-scale geocaching, with each "cache" optimally defined in a geographically limited playing field. For a class-period length game, we recommend a maxium playfield size roughly equivalent to a football field/pitch (American or International football).
Q: Who made the 3D models?
A: Most of the 3D artwork in Waypoint EDU was either created or modified from purchased or Creative Commons licensed models.
The following are Creative Commons licensed models used in the app:
The Julius Caesar bust is a modified and animation rigged version of César - Louvre Museum by Benjamin Bardou. License: CC Attribution
The Mount Vesuvius topography map is Mount Vesuvius - Italy by tpsully. License: CC Attribution ShareAlike
Q: Who made this app?
A: Waypoint EDU was designed and developed by Matt Braun (@mattbraun) and Matt Mourlam (@matthewmourlam).
The app was inspired by the work of Jason Hubbard (@jsnhubbard) and his educational geocaching company and book series, Educaching.
We recommend picking up their latest book, The Ultimate STEM Outdoor Adventure Guide, for great ideas for using GPS technology with your classroom, with your family, or for your group outing.
The book makes a great companion to the Waypoint EDU app.