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A guide for educators on creating engaging learning experiences that effectively teach high school students interpersonal skills.

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Give teens freedom and autonomy

Students value autonomy and choice, and feeling forced into activities hinders authentic engagement.

Play first, explain later

Prioritize hands-on, experiential learning over detailed explanations, allowing students to enjoy and discover concepts on their own without feeling burdened by an "educational" label.

Give sense of anticipation & surprise

Incorporate replayability and a sense of surprise to break away from rigid routines, sparking curiosity and a desire to return to the learning experience to explore all possibilities.

Promote active thinking during gameplay

Design activities that require strategizing, collaboration, and applying knowledge, creating a fun and educational gameplay experience that enhances interpersonal skills.

Create distance from daily life

Address serious issues implicitly to avoid confrontation, and maintain psychological safety by creating distance from everyday life.

Make it fun and silly

Foster a lighthearted and fun environment in learning experiences, encouraging students to return willingly and promoting a growth mindset that embraces learning from mistakes.

Respect teens for their maturity

Respect teenagers as individuals during their crucial phase of development, avoiding infantilizing activities to maintain their motivation and engagement.

Keep stakes low

Foster creativity and genuine learning by providing a safe, supportive environment that encourages exploration and experimentation without fear of failure.

Stimulate social connection

Students seek more social connection in school but find technology-driven interactions can sometimes lead to feelings of disconnection.

Leverage love for competition

Integrate light competition into games and activities to captivate and challenge teenagers, fostering critical thinking and a sense of purpose.

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Need inspiration for designing learning experiences?

 

Explore a game concept that demonstrates the heuristics!

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