Playing with disaster, moving toward change

Abstract

The paper presents the theoretical framework for the use of role-playing games (RPG) to foster and motivate ecoliteracy. First, we discuss previous work on the uses of RPGs in relation to environmental education. Then we introduce the practice theoretical perspective grounding our approach. This is followed by a brief consideration of theories of motivation, as we seek to leverage this drive through playful and co-creative processes via the use of an open-ended RPG. Finally, we lay out the principles guiding our work, followed by some reflections of the results of the first pilot-test of the game.

Keywords

• co-creation
• ecoliteracy
• hope
• learning
• motivation
• play
• practice
• qualitative-method
• role-playing games
• transformation