Board Game Builders: Inclusion Edition

Developed by: Chris (with assistance from Profy technology)

Knowledge Area/Subjects: Arts, Technology, and Social Studies

Theme: Inclusion, Empathy, and Design

This activity is an innovative approach to learning about accessibility and empathy through a hands-on project. Students will work in small groups to brainstorm, design, and create board games that are accessible to the blind or visually impaired. The challenge requires each team to think critically about how to translate visual elements into formats that can be enjoyed without sight, such as through audio descriptions or tactile features. Students will first engage in a brainstorming session to come up with a game concept that can be exciting and accessible. Then, they will outline their ideas, focusing on how to adapt each component for non-visual play. This includes redesigning cards, dice, and player pieces to be usable with audio descriptions or in Braille. The process most importantly involves writing scripts for detailed audio descriptions for every element of the game, which can either be recorded and played back during gameplay or transcribed into Braille. Through this activity, students will explore the importance of inclusive design, learn about the challenges faced by those with visual impairments, and develop a practical application of assistive technology principles.

Learning Objectives

The primary aim of this activity is to foster a deeper understanding of accessibility and empathy among students by immersing them in the process of creating something that is usable by people with visual impairments. Students will develop their skills in collaborative brainstorming, critical thinking, and creative problem solving as they work together to design inclusive board games. They will learn about the importance of assistive technology and how to apply its principles in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, this activity will enhance students' abilities in technical writing as they craft detailed audio descriptions, thereby improving their communication skills. Through hands-on experience, students will gain insights into the challenges faced by the visually impaired community and the significance of inclusivity in design.

Understand the importance of inclusivity and empathy in design.
Learn about assistive technologies for the visually impaired.
Develop collaborative brainstorming and problem-solving skills.
Enhance technical writing abilities for creating audio descriptions.
Apply creative thinking to develop accessible game elements.

Lesson Content

This activity integrates concepts from arts, technology, and social studies to create a comprehensive learning experience. It emphasizes the practical application of design principles and assistive technologies to address real-world problems. The content will cover inclusive design strategies, the basics of audio descriptive scripts, and an introduction to Braille. By doing so, it aims to broaden students' understanding of how various disciplines intersect to improve accessibility and foster empathy towards individuals with disabilities.

Inclusive design principles
Introduction to assistive technologies
Basics of Braille and audio descriptions
Collaborative design thinking process
Empathy and ethics in technology and design

Methodology

This activity employs active learning methodologies, encouraging students to learn by doing. Through collaborative group work, students will engage deeply with the subject matter, applying critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. The hands-on approach fosters a dynamic learning environment where students not only absorb information but also put theory into practice. By involving students in the design process and the creation of audio descriptions, the activity promotes active participation and deepens their understanding of inclusivity principles.

Group brainstorming sessions
Sketching and conceptual design exercises
Construction of game elements
Writing and recording of audio descriptions
Peer feedback and iterative design improvements

Schedule

The activity is structured over two 60-minute sessions. In the first session, students will participate in brainstorming and initial design, learning about inclusivity and assistive technologies. The second session will focus on refining designs, creating audio descriptions, and finalizing the accessible board games.

Session 1: Brainstorming, introduction to inclusivity, and initial design (60 minutes)
Session 2: Design refinement, audio description creation, and final presentations (60 minutes)

Assessment

Evaluation will be based on a comprehensive rubric considering creativity, inclusivity, understanding of assistive technologies, collaboration, and the effectiveness of audio descriptions. Students will present their games to the class, explaining their design process and the decisions made to ensure accessibility. Peer feedback will also play a role in the evaluation, fostering a constructive learning environment. Special attention will be given to how well the game elements can be understood and enjoyed by individuals with visual impairments. Examples of evaluation criteria include the innovative use of tactile or audio elements, the clarity and helpfulness of audio descriptions, and the overall playability of the game.

Materials and tools:

This activity requires a variety of resources to support the creative and inclusive design process. Materials for game creation, recording equipment for audio descriptions, and reference materials on inclusivity and assistive technology principles are essential to facilitate a rich learning experience. Engaging students with these resources, along with providing hands-on experience, will enhance their understanding of the design challenges and solutions for accessibility.

Craft supplies (cardboard, markers, clay, fabric, etc.)
Recording devices or software for audio descriptions
Samples of Braille text and tactile game elements
Access to online resources on inclusive design
Guides or tutorials on creating effective audio descriptions

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