Dungeons and Dragons in Education

I still remember my first game of D & D many years ago (1st Edition). I was in 7th grade and I was instantly hooked! Already a fan of fantasy novels, the game was a perfect past time for me. Dungeons and Dragons lets you live out a fantasy novel and the more immersed you become in the narrative, the more fun you have.

A little about my day job: Special Education Teacher. For the last 15 years I have worked in public schools as a teacher. The last 8 of them I have worked exclusively with students identified as having emotional/behavioral disorders. I teach 11th and 12th graders, all boys who have not had any success with school. Most of them have difficult home lives, and about half have dealings with the juvenile court system. My day is rewarding--but challenging. Three years ago I began to teach my class how to play dungeons and dragons. It has been one of the best decisions of my teaching career!

Benefits. D & D is really a teacher's ideal game to teach and reinforce: reading, writing, math, role-playing, problem solving, teamwork, and imagination. It is how I sold it to my administrators. The students were instantly in love with the game, and as they progressed as players I saw some genuine personal growth. Activities with a group of students like mine can be arduous. I never get through a lesson without re-directions, and reprimands. It can be like pulling the proverbial teeth. Student to student relationships are fraught with conflict and sometimes outright fist fighting. They are at best frienemies.

But something awesome happened when I taught them the rules and began an adventure together--they all got along with each other. Kids who hated everything were hooked on the whole concept of the game. We play on Friday afternoons, but there are conditions. First, they cannot have been involved in a serious behavior incident for the week (No room clears!). Second, they have to complete their academic assignments. The second is no mean feat for my class. Most are behind academically because of their behavior history and all of them hate school. These are kiddos that have been told they are the bad kid, and they failed in school in a bunch of different settings.

This game that we all love has given my students a positive leisure activity, reinforces positive social skills, and it is helping them be more successful at school. Plus, I get to play D & D at work!