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Students created characters, made decisions that shaped their journey, solved puzzles, and earned rewards for mastering historical content.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.
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