What lessons can teachers take from the world of games beyond vague injunctions to “gamify” the classroom? In this Deep Dive, we will take inspiration from the diverse, exciting world of storytelling games to move beyond points and punishments and bring playful, practical, and radically collaborative play practices into the palette of creative teaching tools.
One such practice is Session Zero—an intentional conversation oriented on creative consensus that often takes place before a roleplaying game begins. Prior to making characters, building a world, and exploring conflict and rising action, players sit down and agree on what they expect from the story, the gameplay, and ground rules for exploring difficult feelings during the storytelling process without causing real harm.
This learn-by-doing DDC will investigate how we can borrow from roleplaying consent/consensus building tools like Session Zero to scaffold the creative breakthroughs that can come from exploring challenging stories. Part discussion group, part gaming group, and part design jam, this Deep Dive will offer opportunities to explore playful tools for building trust and (re)directing narratives, while preserving the self expression, depth and open-ended joy that are all necessary to the feeling of playing a game.
By the end of the Deep Dive, we will ask each participant to adapt one roleplaying-inspired “safety tool” for your own classroom, and design a worksheet, game component, or other implementation of your safety tool that students can use.
(No previous DDC experience required. Attendees of the Spring 2023 Storytelling Games DDC are warmly welcome to attend, as are newcomers! Small Groups and Individuals encouraged to apply.)
Apply by Monday, Feb 5
Eligible part time faculty quality for a $250 stipend.
