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16. The XXXX game: A character based tool for learning

  • Louise Sheridan (author)
Chapter of: Stories of Hope: Reimagining Education(pp. 193–200)

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Metadata
Title16. The XXXX game
SubtitleA character based tool for learning
ContributorLouise Sheridan (author)
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0462.16
Landing pagehttps://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0462/chapters/10.11647/obp.0462.16
Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
CopyrightLouise Sheridan;
PublisherOpen Book Publishers
Published on2025-07-02
Long abstractThis chapter explores a dynamic teaching method that uses performance-based role-play to deepen participants’ understanding of complex concepts within their field of study. Central to this approach is the XXXX Game, an immersive activity in which participants embody assigned characters aligned with a particular topic. Inspired by Yuli Rahmawati and colleagues’ (2021) ethical dilemma story pedagogy (EDSP), the method provides minimal character detail, encouraging learners to interpret and perform their roles through a constructivist lens. By engaging in this embodied and imaginative exercise, students are invited to confront assumptions, challenge misconceptions, and gain deeper insight into the experiences and perspectives of others. The chapter reflects on the transformative potential of this approach to foster empathy, critical thinking, and reflective practice, suggesting that such performative pedagogy can profoundly enrich the learning experience.
Page rangepp. 193–200
Print length8 pages
LanguageEnglish (Original)
Contributors

Louise Sheridan

(author)

Louise Sheridan has worked in Higher Education for the last twenty-five years, beginning as a Sessional Tutor while still working in the field of youth and community development. Her approach to teaching is greatly influenced by the methods that she used in her professional practice as a community educator. The theories and principles of Paulo Freire provide a solid foundation upon which she frames learning activities. Most of her students are studying Adult Learning, Community Development, and Youth Work, and are driven by the desire to tackle issues of social justice, working with communities and not for communities. She believes it is important to equip students with knowledge, skills, and experience that enable them to engage with communities in an authentic, meaningful, and engaging way. Faced with the sudden challenge of teaching students online, Louise developed The XXXX Game to create an engaging, and fun way of learning. Louise is committed to creating learning experiences that promote love for others, and the world.

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