Worldbuilding Pedagogies: Building Other Worlds Through Youth-Driven Critical Game-Based Learning

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Decolonial Perspectives in STE(A)M Education, AI, and Gaming (Table 6)

Abstract

Drawn from speculative fiction and afrofuturism (Ellis et al., 2018; Yaszek, 2006) and decolonial pedagogies (Andreotti, 2011; Rodney et al., 2022) “Worldbuilding Pedagogy,” centers youth-driven speculative other-worlds to counter colonial realities. In this study, youth co-researchers produce a historical role-playing game that critiques the Opium Wars. The game answers the question of how shifting the voices of who is uplifted in history can result in transnational solidarity, and produce new, speculative challenges to colonial history. This qualitative study produces findings from post-gameplay interviews and focus groups with NYC youth. The paper will also serve as a theory and methods paper on how to enact student-driven Worldbuilding pedagogy in more history classrooms.

Authors

• Shreya Sunderram, Graduate Center - CUNY

• Jagar Bhan, University of Pennsylvania

• Janeta Becovic, SUNY - College at New Paltz