Playing a card game can support empathy development in college classrooms, according to a new study led by researchers in Penn State University Libraries' Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT).
The study, "Mediating Students' Empathy Development Through Play," was published in the Journal of Play in Adulthood. It assesses the Inclusive and Multicultural Perspectives with Action, Characters and Technologies (IMPACT) Deck, a game-based learning tool developed by researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the researchers, IMPACT presents players with character cards, each embodying an individual with a rich backstory that invites thoughtful exploration as the game progresses with action and technology cards.
As players navigate the game, they engage in discussions about the potential effects of various technologies on society, industry and the daily lives of the characters and themselves. This human-centric conversation aims to foster a deeper understanding of how technology impacts the world.
IMPACT Deck was designed to spark discussion about how technology affects different communities. But, to date, the tool had never been formally assessed. The recent study sought to evaluate this tool's effectiveness in fostering empathy and critical thinking among undergraduate students.
