The Kentucky Department of Education and Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative will be hosting professional development sessions dedicated to incorporating role-playing games into lesson plans. Photo by Adam Watson, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative.
When students become fully immersed in a role-playing scenario, where the fate of an ancient civilization or a character they’ve created is in their hands, they’re not just learning history – they’re living it! These interactive experiences are what teachers across Kentucky are finding in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), and the results are as magical as they are educational.
With their focus on creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, it’s no wonder educators are eager to adapt games like Dungeons & Dragons to engage students through play. Play-based learning helps students develop essential skills, take risks and deeply understand content in a fun, meaningful way.
A study published by The Australian Educational Researcher on play-based education found that “play and playful learning had the characteristics of being experienced as creative, exploratory, hands-on, fun and different from the didactic approaches that the students had experienced. When teachers used an approach to learning that included these elements of play, the students responded with increased engagement and motivation. They also felt that they were able to remember and understand more about their learning, which they reflected improved their academic outcomes.” Incorporating this approach can offer vibrant learning experiences and innovative assessments, key parts of the Kentucky United We Learn vision.
In my own classroom last spring, I used TTRPGs to teach 6th grade social studies students about ancient Egypt through a campaign called “Tombs & Pyramids.” Students created characters, made decisions that shaped their journey, solved puzzles, and earned rewards for mastering historical content. The experience culminated in a collaborative narrative project where students creatively shared their adventure.
One student said, “It was a fun adventure game that used communication and strategy. I learned about their beliefs, culture and the Nile River all through gameplay.”
Another student said, “I liked rolling the dice and making choices with a group better than just sitting and taking notes. We were learning, but it didn’t feel like it because we were playing too. I actually wanted to know about ancient Egypt because it affected how we did in the game, like what advantages we got in the game. It was really fun.”
Morgan Seely, a 4th-grade teacher at Painted Stone Elementary (Shelby County), has also used TTRPGs to spark creativity.
“The opportunity for application and transference of understanding is endless when they are allowed to create their own world,” Seely said. “When students feel empowered to make choices with how they learn, the level of engagement becomes unmatched.”
For those interested in implementing this approach, resources are available. Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist in creating narratives, puzzles, and visuals while saving time. Additionally, Adam Watson, a digital learning consultant with the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC), founded KyEdRPG to share stories and instructional resources for educators using TTRPGs
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Division of Innovation and OVEC will also be hosting a free professional development session called Dungeons & Desks on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT at the West Kentucky Educational Cooperative in Eddyville. If you are interested in attending this PD session, but the location is too far away, be on the lookout for additional dates popping up around the state!
To learn more, contact Kalli Colley, KDE regional innovation specialist.
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