Dungeons and Dragons in Education: A Usability Study

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Session Description
When it comes to this generation of learners, common challenges that often arise for educators include engaging learners, helping them process information, and getting them to apply that information. Game-based learning has been defined as learning that utilizes games to encourage students to be self-motivated and self-driven by presenting learning material as something enjoyable and thus facilitates engagement (Game-Based Learning: latest evidence and future directions).

In order to address these issues, a web-based instructional resource was developed on the topic of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) in education. The target audience of the instructional resource includes educators seeking a way to facilitate learning engagement and assess learning transfer. The web-based resource is located at (https://tasian1.wixsite.com/dndineducation).

A usability test was conducted to evaluate multiple aspects of the web-based instructional resource. The researcher conducted two rounds of usability testing with a total of eight participants. Data collected from the study indicated an overall positive reception towards the content, graphics, and layout of the web-based instructional resource. Revisions were made according to user feedback.

This session will discuss the overall design of the project as well as the usability study’s methods, data, and results. By conducting this study, the researcher was able to obtain data that improved the instructional design of the website. Ideally, this helped provide a site for teachers looking to try a different method of engagement and learning assessment. Through this project, the researcher was able to expose teachers to this new method of teaching and in turn, has learned how to better present this material so that it is more accessible for educators.

Presenter(s)
Tasia Nakasone
Tasia Nakasone, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, HI

Session Type
LTEC Session
Audience
All Audiences

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9 Comments

  2. I applaud your research and wish to encourage you in it. We need imaginative ways to draw learners into creative spaces. I bridge games, simulations, creativity, and virtual worlds. It all begins with the mind. In my doctoral research, I focused on user interaction design and strengthening the user interface within virtual reality environments. Mahalo! *grins* @lyrlobo on oTwitter.

    • Hi Cynthia!
      Thank you so much for your insight! I love the idea of incorporating games like D&D in the classroom and will definitely continue to work on this project! I would love to know more about what you do and humbly accept any advice or input you’d have to give. (tasian@hawaii.edu)

      Thank you!

  3. Wonderful, Tasia! I applaud your research and wish to encourage you in it. We need imaginative ways to draw learners into creative spaces.

    I bridge games, simulations, creativity, and virtual worlds. It all begins with the mind. In my doctoral research, I focused on user interaction design and strengthening the user interface within virtual reality environments. Mahalo! *grins* @lyrlobo on Twitter.

  5. Here are our Honey Heist EDUCAUSE game resources

    Honey Heist Rules https://drive.google.com/file/d/15GqwIB1roVuIHRodklX35KbzECAsSln7/view?usp=sharing

    Dice Roller (handy for playing in Zoom or if players do not have Dice) https://www.wizards.com/dnd/dice/dice.htm

    Sliders: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6pUmNHy3umuZUR5R1B6dlFldlU/view Tracking the state of the game, optional

    We wore hats and selected bear types, and as Gamemaster, I used the Honey Badger slogan.

  6. Roles & Process
    Facilitator: Kae, Backup Facilitator: Sandra
    Welcome
    Explain the Rules, setting, and call for additional players
    Monitor Chat / Answer Questions
    Pause Play as needed
    Monitor Time
    Call Game (30 mints Game Play)
    Wrap up

    GM: Cynthia, Back up GM: Kae
    Create and Narrate Story
    Guide Game Play
    Engage Players
    Permission to have fun and perform

  7. Players (3 to 6): Tiffany, Cameron, Mike, Tori, Tricia, Chas, Sandra
    Engage in Play
    Improv
    Permission to have fun and perform

    Curator: ??
    Take Screenshots
    Learning objectives; Student will

    Orient yourself with the meeting space/campus//location
    Apply team-based learning to solve problems with creativity
    Conduct a community building activity
    Apply a Homeland security scenario
    Investigate a language learning experience for directions
    Apply case- based learning
    Share the leadership role
    Practice a survival game

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