Embedded Files
Introduction
"Capital & The Other" is an educational board game designed to facilitate an interactive learning environment where students explore the economic implications of identity in a structured and engaging learning environment. The board game is designed as a pedagogical intervention for the introductory module, 'Theorizing Identity', of the 'Economics of Identity: Race, Class, Caste & Gender' course at the College of William & Mary. This module is crucial as it lays the conceptual foundations for understanding the intersection of identity and economics. Previous iterations of the course revealed challenges related to low levels of student engagement during traditional lecture-based instruction, limited lateral application of threshold concepts in assessments and overall difficulty in grasping the interplay between identity factors and economic outcomes.
This project encompasses the design, development and play testing of the learning board game to address these identified challenges. It includes detailed evaluation of the intervention in line with the project objectives, and preliminary integration of insights into following iterations of the board game in other modalities (VR).
Project Objectives
The Capital & The Other Learning Board Game has a number of objectives that are focused on addressing the identified pedagogic challenges, as well as the overall course learning objectives. These are identified as being to:
How Does The Board Game Work?
1. Profile Sheets and Identity
A player reading through their profile sheet
Players receive Identity Profile Sheets at the start which determine their unique character's background and starting resources. These sheets establish each player's intersectional identity and include special abilities or challenges tied to their character's background.
2. Capital Allocation
Players being allocated their capital tokens in line with game identities
Players manage four distinct types of capital (Financial, Social, Cultural and Human) throughout the game. The initial allocation of these capitals is determined by the player's Profile Sheet, deliberately reflecting real-world disparities and circumstances .
3. Movement Mechanics
A player thinking through their next move on the game board after rolling the dice.
During their turn, players roll two six-sided dice to determine movement on the board, move their token across the board according to the dice roll.
4. Action Resolution
A player reading a card prompt to determine their next game action
When landing on a space, players must draw and resolve relevant cards based on the space's color. Following the prompts on the cards may require gaining or losing capital tokens, making economic decisions and collaborating with other players.
4. Reflection
Students engaging during the end of session discussion
After each round, players were asked to collectively and individually reflect on their actions during the round as it relates to the course threshold concepts.
This project was implemented through generous support from the William & Mary's Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation.
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