barbarianguy
First Post
Hi all, I just wanted to ask about the educational benefits of D&D, since my Vice Principal asked about. Also, what should I tell her about the violence in-game? Thanks in advance!
Educational benefits of D&D
- Thread starter barbarianguy
- Start date
Like most educational tools, the benefits depend on what you're doing with it.
If it's being run by someone with an eye for education, then some benefits may be seen. Otherwise, I wouldn't make a claim.
In general, D&D (and most role-playing games) include notable use of basic mathematics, decision-making skills (prioritization, risk-assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and so on), and social interaction skills (teamwork, clear communication, consensus-building, among many others).
As for the violence - yes, violence is a major way conflicts are solved in D&D, in general. But, a particular GM can run games which include very little violence. Also, the violence that we do have is typically very abstract, as opposed to the explicit gore seen in many video games today: D&D is very PG 13 stuff.
And, to quote from True Lies:
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
"Yes. But they were all bad!"
Meaning, that D&D typically uses a simplified moral scheme, where the bad guys are really and truly Evil, so the use of violence against them isn't outside what Western culture typically allows.
If it's being run by someone with an eye for education, then some benefits may be seen. Otherwise, I wouldn't make a claim.
In general, D&D (and most role-playing games) include notable use of basic mathematics, decision-making skills (prioritization, risk-assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and so on), and social interaction skills (teamwork, clear communication, consensus-building, among many others).
As for the violence - yes, violence is a major way conflicts are solved in D&D, in general. But, a particular GM can run games which include very little violence. Also, the violence that we do have is typically very abstract, as opposed to the explicit gore seen in many video games today: D&D is very PG 13 stuff.
And, to quote from True Lies:
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
"Yes. But they were all bad!"
Meaning, that D&D typically uses a simplified moral scheme, where the bad guys are really and truly Evil, so the use of violence against them isn't outside what Western culture typically allows.
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David Howery
Hero
I don't think D&D has any real educational value... but it can certainly lead to a person doing more reading on their own. For me personally, D&D sparked an interest in ancient/medieval history, and later, history in general. As a DM, I also ended doing a lot of research on mythology from around the world, mainly in mining ideas for adventures, new magic items, etc. Plus, when I ended up submitting articles to TSR's magazines, I ended up doing research on a bizarre number of topics ranging from Native American folklore, the history of African kingdoms, the legends of India/Oceania regarding lost island kingdoms, and the history of Arab/African trade routes. D&D alone won't really add to your educational knowledge (although it's lots of fun), but it can certainly inspire you to do more reading on your own...
wolfpunk
First Post
Well I am pretty freakin good at simple math and probabilities because of D & D and I have actually learned quite a bit about various histories and geographical regions because of research done for strongly themed adventures I have created and ran. Deductive reasoning and puzzle solving skills have also been improved due to exposure to D & D.
IronWolf
blank
I think D&D (well, most RPGs for that matter) can be an educational tool. Umbran listed several good reasons why. Others have mentioned D&D opening the doors and getting one to read more about history, mythology and such as a result of D&D. So while D&D may not have taught them that, it motivated them to learn more about those subjects.
IronPup has certainly done quite well with math by simply repeatedly rolling dice and adding modifiers to it. Roll enough dice during a game and it almost becomes a form of flashcards! There is also an element of increased vocabulary as well depending on the rulebooks as well.
I would certainly consider D&D a tool to increasing one's knowledge. Granted the books themselves might not teach you directly, but it seems the game leads you to learning more about the areas mentioned above.
IronPup has certainly done quite well with math by simply repeatedly rolling dice and adding modifiers to it. Roll enough dice during a game and it almost becomes a form of flashcards! There is also an element of increased vocabulary as well depending on the rulebooks as well.
I would certainly consider D&D a tool to increasing one's knowledge. Granted the books themselves might not teach you directly, but it seems the game leads you to learning more about the areas mentioned above.
Based on personal experiences and observations:
Is it a replacement for school, etc. no, not by any stretch. but the idea here is that it keeps a person exposed to these things and practicing it as part of a recreation. (kind of like homework but without the work part)
Violence ? yes, there is violence in the game, but, frankly, it isn't realistic violence and (if you compare it to movies or video games of today) it's really quite benign and no more damaging than kids playing with gijoes in the 80s or whatever the current boy-targeted action figures are.
But it's also mostly for rallying people in a common goal against grotesque alien-like creatures with distinct evil intentions against humanity or communities and the purpose of doing things is more so with noble quests in mind to save the proverbial princess or town.
anyway, that's my take on it based on personal experiences
- Math: While it won't necessarily teach you new math skills (like calculus), it keeps you in practice for working with numbers.
- Reading/Vocabulary: It does keep you reading, and probably increasing your vocabulary as well
- Exposure to historical, sociocultural, and/or mythological terms and concepts depending on their level of use in the game. Heck, I aced many mythology tests back in the day due to my familiarity with the terms and creatures from D&D
- Social Skills: team building, group dynamics, etc
Is it a replacement for school, etc. no, not by any stretch. but the idea here is that it keeps a person exposed to these things and practicing it as part of a recreation. (kind of like homework but without the work part)
Violence ? yes, there is violence in the game, but, frankly, it isn't realistic violence and (if you compare it to movies or video games of today) it's really quite benign and no more damaging than kids playing with gijoes in the 80s or whatever the current boy-targeted action figures are.
But it's also mostly for rallying people in a common goal against grotesque alien-like creatures with distinct evil intentions against humanity or communities and the purpose of doing things is more so with noble quests in mind to save the proverbial princess or town.
anyway, that's my take on it based on personal experiences
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nedjer
Adventurer
The benefits of D&D are related to the style of play.
Games emphasising challenge, mystery, player choice, world building, exploration, discovery, tricks and character development - along with a generous dose of compelling combat - appear to engage and develop a wide range of otherwise elusive higher executive skills.
Skills used in tactical combat simulations may well contribute some transferable skills, but these are a subset of a much broader spectrum, and more concerned with procedural learning than critical thinking and active learning experiences.
This is not a slight against 4e or anything else. 4e can be played in a great many ways. However, if you wish to make a paedagogical case that's where the science currently leads.
Please check out:
Design Games « Thistle Games
Tabletop RPGs and Skills: Part 1 « Thistle Games
Games, Gaming and Skills « Thistle Games
RPG and Design Game Research « Thistle Games
From a curriculum/ game design perspective you may be interested in checking out the features of a design game RPG. Not as a play alternative to the headlining D&D, but to look see an experimental cognitive learning system. The game presents as a 'standard' fantasy system, (and combat's quite 'direct' when it kicks off).
However, the rules/ guidelines promote frameworking, scaffolding and design game activities, which can focus gameplay on 'deploying' critical thinking and collective problem-solving. The design specifically models human cognitive processes to help to engage these skills:
modular
parallel
synaptic
attenuation of synaptic links
visual and semantic language systems, (e.g. grammar and syntax)
emergent properties
. . .
http://www.treasurerpg.com/downloads.htm
HTH
What's the objective here? I assume you are advocating for D&D in some school-related context, but what context exactly? Getting permission to play in the cafeteria at lunch? To form a school-sponsored club? To bring D&D books on campus?
Also, what grade level are we talking about? (If it's elementary school, you can probably sell her just on the arithmetic involved. If it's junior high or high school, that's less likely to cut it.)
Also, what grade level are we talking about? (If it's elementary school, you can probably sell her just on the arithmetic involved. If it's junior high or high school, that's less likely to cut it.)
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