Educators from Kentuckiana districts (Kentucky and southern Indiana):
Seneca High School's "TableTop RPG Club's Adventures" (Christopher Woo, Jefferson County Public Schools). Woo runs an afterschool D & D club, but what's really impressive is the self-published series he personally finances that records the ongoing adventures of his students' characters -- and the impact he has had on students like La'Kori Carson.
"Tombs & Pyramids" & "Dynasties & Dragons" (Kalli Colley, South Marshall Middle School, Marshall County Public Schools). Ms. Colley used TTRPGs and dice rolling in various ways in her social studies classroom.
Bringing Fourth Grade "Learning to Life Through Imagination" (Morgan Seely, Painted Stone Elementary, Shelby County Public Schools). Ms. Seely had a character creation kickoff activity for her students, with the plan to have these characters go through several reoccurring academic adventures throughout the school year. Check out the blog entry for more details, and copies of her character creation materials are in this Google folder.
Bringing Role-Playing to Reaganomics (Lexie Bewley-Gilley, Bullitt Central HS, Bullitt County Public Schools). As part of a U.S. History unit on the end of the Cold War, Ms. Bewley-Gilley committed several days on a character creation lesson, giving students a deeper opportunity to gain an empathetic perspective on a person living in the 1980's. See also her appearance in Karin Hess's Applying Depth of Knowledge and Cognitive Rigor (2025), as Adam Watson detailed in his social media posts (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
"The Academy" Gamified Class (Chad Collins, Spencer County MS). Mr. Collins was inspired to gamify his school's Academic Team elective classes. See a glimpse inside the course by exploring linked copies of the class websites.
English Classes Integrated with DnD (John Brewer, Shawnee HS, Jefferson County Public Schools). Mr. Brewer not only integrates XP and "classes" into Senior English, he has DnD integrated throughout an entire Creative Writing course. The folder of resources includes a semester's worth of assignments. Start with the Overview doc.
Ancient Rome Warfare (Justin Gadd, Marnel C. Moorman K-8, Shelby County Public Schools). What adversities do Roman legionnaires face when in Britannia? Middle school students learn how to answer this question by playing a RPG. Start with the Overview doc. (See Gadd and his students in a KET Kentucky Edition March 2023 news segment here.)
Playing Pathfinder During Recess (David Bennett, Borden Elementary, Borden, IN). The benefits and challenges of playing a TTRPG with fifth grade elementary learners in just a thirty minute timeframe.
Historical Character Sheets (Mary Lowe, parochial middle school social studies teacher). As part of a middle school Age of Exploration unit, students are to fully complete a detailed D & D character sheet on a famous explorer and justify their choices. (This idea could be easily applied to other contexts, such as analyzing literary characters.) Start with the Overview doc.
Westward Expansion, d20 Style (Patrick La Mar, formerly at Oldham County MS/North Oldham HS, Oldham County Public Schools). How a social studies lesson became much more engaging by integrating a role playing game.
Running a D & D Extracurricular Club (Justin Gadd, Marnel C. Moorman K-8, Shelby County Public Schools). Discusses how D & D clubs improve the SEL and academic life of students, as well as tips on how to start and sustain such clubs. See Gadd and his students in a KET Kentucky Edition March 2023 news segment here.
Trading Card Mythological Gods Project (Adam Watson). A two day lesson plan originally created for a high school Myths and Legends class. Start with the Overview doc.
Educators from outside of Kentucky:
Students using Twine for Creating "Interactive Histories." Jeremiah McCall is a high school history teacher and the Director of the Peer Mentoring Program at Cincinnati Country Day School (Ohio) -- but he's also a published writer and the person behind Gaming the Past, which particularly focuses on using video games in the classroom. Jeremiah shares examples of student work from CCDS, as well as rubrics he's used for research-based student projects on "interactive histories" and game design.
Summer RPG Camp for Students. For several years, Dan Reem (social studies teacher) and Tom Gross (librarian) of Teachers in the Dungeon have been running an annual multi-day camp at their high school in Illinois. There are two learning "tracks": one for players, and one for Dungeon Masters. Community partners such as a comic book artist and a homemade dicemaker have also volunteered their talents to run breakout sessions. In 2025, Dan and Tom had their first educator conference as part of the camp's kickoff; Day One was for the attendees to learn more about TTRPGs in education, and Day Two allowed the attendees to shadow students on their first day of camp.
Periodic Table TTRPG. Ben Little is a secondary science teacher in Massachusetts. His Periodic Table TTRPG, utililzed in his Chemistry class, has gone through several iterations, and he has plans for future ways to include TTRPGs in his instruction.
Role-Playing in Another Language. Nate Sidwell is a high school World Language teacher in Illinois. The link is to a Teachers in the Dungeon podcast episode from 4/30/24 (37:16) where Nate explains how his pedagogical approach of TPRS -- Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling -- led to using DnD 5e rules (and a Player's Handbook translated in French!) to create immersive RPG scenarios in a classroom for students to deeply learn a second language.
Writing Resources (Building Heroez). Kade C. Wells is a middle school ELA teacher in South Dakota who is a strong proponent of playing D & D in class. His writing lesson ideas inspired by D & D include "Head to Toe [Character] Description using Sentence Variety," "Character Backstory," and "Heroic Biopoem." Also, check out his YouTube channel.
Although the description and notes given for the resources are written by Adam Watson, a name at the end in italics and inside parentheses indicates the person who submitted the resource to Adam or through tagging KyEdRPG's social media -- thank you for sharing!
Adventures and Expansions (game system needed is indicated)
Wisconsin Adventures. Created by the Wisconsin Historical Society's Kurt Griesemer in honor of D&D's 50th Anniversary (which, of course, shares a historical connection to the state), this TTRPG incorporates myths and legends from Wisconsin into a 5e compatible set of adventures. Per the website: "Within each adventure players will interact with characters inspired by historical figures, Wisconsin mythology, and actual locations. The historic background of each is provided at the end of the module, as well as an extensive list of English/Language Arts and Social Studies standards that can be met within the structure of the game." There are several options for purchase, including an Educator Bundle. This might serve as inspiration for your state or town's historical society, or for educators to create adventures around their own local myths and legends! (Chris Baker)
The Lost Universe. NASA -- yes, as in the American space agency! -- created a system-agnostic TTRPG adventure module to teach about the Hubble Telescope and space-related science. This could be wonderful for students, assuming they already have characters (or are provided pre-generated ones), and if they are already familiar with the rules of an established TTRPG. Because it is system-agnostic, it depends heavily on a GM to bring specifics, such as stat blocks of characters and monsters; it also notes that the "adventure is designed for a party of [four to seven] level 7-10 characters." Based on the science concepts central to the module, I would recommend that the players are high school age (although you could customize the module for younger students). The website contains free material such as a downloadable PDF for a GM, a map, and a poster advertising the game. (Here's a 2024 interview with the NASA author of the adventure!)
DMless Adventures for 5e . Limitless Adventures is a company with several 5e supplements, but their "DMless Adventures" line would be of particular usefulness to an educator who needs to a way for students to lead their own play. The rules are simple, and consists of participants playing cards to determine each encounter; each card refers to a number in the guidebook very similar in style to a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. Their first boxset, The Blood Queen's Defiance, is recommended for five players with 4th Level characters; others are available on the Limitless Adventures website. You might use the product as is, or use it to inspire you on how to automate your own academic TTRPG modules. (Dan Reem and Tom Gross)
Nations & Cannons. Using the D&D fifth edition ruleset, players can create characters set during the American Revolutionary War. There's plenty of game material to peruse on their website, as well as some educator opportunities to explore.
The Baby Bestiary Companion Rules uses the D&D fifth edition ruleset, and shows how to incorporate a character rescuing and raising a newborn fantasy monster. This could be a way to bring in younger players into a roleplaying game experience that doesn't necessarily involve fighting and battles.
Analog Tools
Story Engine Decks. The company has various card decks & expansion sets that can help build a narrative or world, with simple and intuitive rules. While originally made for TTRPG players or GMs, the decks can be excellent for brainstorming fiction, understanding geography, or collaboratively practicing what is like to co-create a story. Additionally, they have free lesson plan resources! (While most of the lessons are aligned to middle and high school standards, others -- like the "9 Storytelling Activities" handout -- could be for any age group, depending on their literacy level and supports given.)
Lost in the Dark. Another Limitless Adventures product; this is a solo adventure gamebook set around 5e rules. The book leads you through character creation, and from there, advances you through the story complete with dice rolls and monster encounters. Great for a classroom or school library for students to check out, or for enrichment time.
Dice Petting Zoo. At Gen Con 2024, Tom Gross and Adam discovered a handcrafted wooden tray with dice at a booth advertising some D&D "stay and playcation" opportunities (Nat 21 Adventures). The idea was so whimsical that I immediately began brainstorming how a Dice Petting Zoo could be a delightful addition to a classroom. It could provide an opportunity for calming and building culture. Imagine naming the various polyhedral "animals." Or having students whisper numbers to them as they try to solve a difficult math problem. Or for those that need to fiddle, taking them for a "walk" (roll!).
Adventure Scents could not only add to the ambiance of a roleplaying game journey, but could also increase the immersive experiences during a readaloud of a story, be the kickoff (whiff-off??) of a descriptive writing piece, or amplify a "you are there" moment of history.
Digital Tools
Dice Slides. A free Chrome Extension for Google Slides, designed by Alice Keeler. After installation, you have access to tools that generate game pieces, chips, boards, and six-sided dice (along with automated results) onto your slides. Alas, no polyhedral dice beyond the d6!
Inkarnate. This site allows you to create template-driven fantasy-style world maps or smaller scenario/city scale maps. You can sign up with a Google account for a limited free account (limit of 10 maps and fewer templates to access), or pay for a "pro" account. (John Brewer)
Dungeon Scrawl. You can create dungeon maps for free that are "saved" within the browser with export options. A paid pro option is also available with a few more features. (John Brewer)
Inklewriter. A branching narrative writing tool, free and accessible via your browser. You can write and publish stories with branching "Choose Your Own Adventure"-style logic, allowing your eventual reader to experience the story like it's a text-based game. The linked page gives tips on how to create free, anonymous accounts for your students.
Twine. Another CYOA-style branching narrative writing tool that allows you to publish for others. It's a free open-source tool that can be accessed via your browser or as a downloaded desktop app. While there are some Twine options that might require, benefit from, or provide practice in coding, you can also use Twine as a simple WYSIWYG text creator. See also Jeremiah McCall's "Educator Story" above, where he provides rubics to go with his students' Twine projects. (John Brewer)
Classcraft. A popular digital platform that combined a positive behavior intervention system of rewards with a blended learning organization tool. Many RPG elements were present, including avatar customization, "boss battles" (gamified formative reviews), personalized learning Quests, and more. A basic plan was free, but a paid Premium level offered additional features. For a video overview of what Classcraft looked like from a student's perspective, click here. (Note: Classcraft was purchased by HMH in 2024, and as announced originally here [archived here] the original platform was sunsetted in June 2024. The new HMH Classcraft "will not instantly replicate every feature of the original platform, especially components related to gamification and behavior management. Our team is fully committed to reintegrating these vital elements over time but cannot confirm their immediate availability by June 30th [2024].")
"System Reference Document." 400+ page PDFs released by Wizards of the Coast under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, this is the 5E (version 5.1) & 5E24 (version 5.2) compatible set of free rules on how to create characters, combat, spells, magic items, monsters and more.
Online dice rolling sites:
D & D Beyond (official; besides digital dice, also has D&D character creation and other tools; requires a free account)
D & D Dice Roller (unofficial)
DM Tools: 3D Dice. The website also has other useful free tools, such as an Initiative Tracker.
Games (complete systems)
Roll for Learning: 51 Micro Tabletop Role-Playing Games to Use in the Classroom (Play Story Press/Lulu.com, 2024) edited by Camilla Zamboni, Matthew Farber, and William Merchant, available in softcover and eBook. Spread across three age categories (5 to 11, 11 to 15, and "15 and beyond") and three content areas (SEL, STEM, and Humanities), these TTRPGs are easy to implement with both few and simple materials. One of my favorites is Brian Trombley's “Mathemagicians vs. Monsters” (STEM, ages 11 to 15), where algebraic expressions are used as spells to defeat enemies.
Venture Society. Published by 9th Level Games, this boxed set is for elementary-aged students to play a simplified TTRPG in the classroom, utilizing 9th Level's "Polymorph System." The set includes a quick start guide, a campaign with multiple adventures, dice, pre-generated character sheets on dry erasable boards, a "professional's guidebook" with tips for teachers and therapists, and more.
Fart Quest The Game. A free TTRPG to go with a popular book series Fart Quest, aimed at elementary grades 3-5, and inspired by the author's love of Dungeons & Dragons. The link is to a ZIP file that contains printable PDFs of pregen characters, a map, player instructions, and a "Dungeon Master" guide. (While this offical publisher website gives information about the book series and an overview of the game, the page only indicates two books have been published when they are actually up to Part 4.) (Justin Gadd)
The Last Spike. A board game about railroad expansion in the 1800's. While there are many such historical games in the marketplace, what makes this one particularly worth highlighting is that they offer a "Teacher's Guide" of resources to go with it, with middle and high school lesson plan ideas. You could find ways to add some role-playing elements!
The Quest Kids: Giant Adventure. In the publisher's words, it is a "life-sized fantasy game experience" with a simplified rule set geared toward students kindergarten age and up. Large durable tiles are placed on the ground, and students are to choose a pathway from one tile to the next while overcoming challenges and collecting tokens along the way. This might be a good alternative activity for an elementary PE class, or even as a way to do a creative indoor recess.
Kentucky, 1861: Loyalty, State, and Nation. A role playing game module that is from the Reacting Consortium,; this particular one was highlighted from Reacting's extensive list of games for its obvious local connection. While these Reacting games were originally created for college students to play, they certainly can be a starting point to be adapted for younger students to make history or literature come alive. (Recently, Reacting Consortium launched a resource page for adapting their modules for high school students.) The gamebooks for these modules need purchasing and a paid membership to the Reacting Consortium is required to access the rest of the gaming materials. Note: because its subject matter may be difficult for students to role-play, I recommend treating this Kentucky module as something to analyze when considering your own TTRPG implementation. Be sure to practice discernment and empathy if you consider using the module "as is."
Cooking with Dice: The Acid Test could gamify a culinary arts unit or even inspire how to incorporate TTRPGs for the entire course.
Lesson Plans / Materials for Lessons / Educotor Support
"Dice in the Dairyland: The History of Dungeons & Dragons." These resources from PBS Wisconsin would be excellent for younger students, perhaps as part of a social studies lesson. It has "Questions to Consider" and a video transcript available in Spanish.
Official Dungeons & Dragons Lesson Plans by YMI. Created by Young Minds Inspired in partnership with Wizards of the Coast.
Grades 3-8
Grades 4-8: A Field Guide to Dragons (ELA 4-8, NGSS Science 6-8; standards doc here)
Grades 6-8: Monstrous Adventures (ELA, Math, SEL; standards doc here)
Grades 9-12: Unlock Learning Skills (ELA, SEL, Social Studies, Civics; standards doc here)
Also has introductory materials and resources.
Dungeons & Dragons: Official Site Educator Resources. Among other resources, I'd recommend requesting a free "Afterschool Club Kit" (supplies are limited and they likely go fast after the start of a school year!) as well as apply for a "D&D Beyond Educator License," which upon approval gets you free electronic access to the three key rulebooks as well as some adventure modules. In both cases, these may be limited to one person per school/library/enrichment center.
Organizations & Publishers
Central Michigan University Press. An independent game publisher that is part of CMU and its Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, you'll find several options that run the gamut from RPGs to board games, from secondary through higher ed. Many of the published games also offer options for accompanying teacher guides as well.
Dice Alliance. An 501(c)3 in Western Kentucky (centered around Paducah) that has been offering services and support to youth since 2020, particularly in running after-school TTRPG clubs. Founder Cory Toon was interviewed by CAR-PGa in October 2024.
NerdLouisville. A 501(c)3 that supports Kentuckiana youth that started in 2015. ( A October 2017 story by Jeffrey Lee Puckett in The Courier-Journal explains how it came to be and some early partnerships it made.) Support has included donation of game materials and partnering with a social worker to run an open D&D campaign with young players.
Let's Quest. A 501(c)(3) Florida charity established in 2024 "dedicated to supporting afterschool tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) programs by providing a treasure trove of resources and materials to educators and facilitators. All services and materials provided are at no cost to students, teachers, schools, or parents." Let's Quest "believe[s] in the power of TTRPGs to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and community in young minds." The site is beginning to build out resources to help educators. (John Johnson)
Alexandria RPG Library is based in Seattle and is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. They have amassed a collection of thousands of RPG rulebooks and boxsets going back decades, which they often curate and exhibit around the country. Their online database may serve as a resource for teachers or students researching the history of tabletop roleplaying games, but their website may also be the start of some inquiry-based learning: What can the history of role-playing games tell us about a culture over time? How do various gaming systems create mathematical balance to ensure fair playability? In what ways are RPGs inclusive and exclusive (lack of translated materials, accessibility concerns, cultural insensitivities, etc.), and how can we make RPGs more inclusive? How can a roleplaying game charity positively impact a local or global community, and how can we help increase that impact?
Oddfish Games has some items that are just plain fun, including a guidebook on How to RPG with Your Cat. But they also have products that could inspire some educational integration. See their Adventure Scents in Analog Tools and Cooking WIth Dice: The Acid Test under Games (complete systems).
American Library Association "Games and Gaming Roundtable." The ALA has a page on their website dedicated to various ways that librarians can incorporate games into learning spaces. TTRPGs frequently are mentioned in their articles. (James Allen)
Academic Journals
Board Game Academics. An online scholastic journal and organization based in Pennsylvania and launched in 2024, with annual issues as well as various events and presentations.
Analog Game Studies. Published online since 2014 with articles on the impact of board games, TTRPGs, and play-based learning. The journal also sponsors occasional conferences.
International Journal of Role-Playing. IJRP is an online scholastic journal that has been publishing issues going back to 2008 (usually annually). While the scope and topics of its peer-reviewed articles often reach beyond education, you'll find some examples focused on K-12.
Articles and White Papers (Scholastic and/or Written for Educators)
"A Critical Role: Academic Success Advisors Leveraging Tabletop Gaming and Gamification in the Classroom for Academic Probation Students" by Sean Milligan, David Runge, and Andrew Buchmann, Board Game Academics, March 2025 (Issue 2). Three Academic Success Advisors at SUNY Oswego successfully revamp their "Academic Success" course for college students on academic probation, using a modified D&D game system.
"Bringing Tabletop Role-Playing Games to the Library" by Rosemary Kiladitis, School Library Journal, 2/26/25. Provides a good introductory overview to TTRPGs, plus tips for implementation, game suggestions, and a list of TTRPG-themed YA books.
"The Potential Intersection of Megagames and Learning" by Adam Watson, Edtech Elixirs, 12/23/24.
"D&D in HE [Higher Education]." A collection of resources from Professor Ian Turner (University of Derby, UK) and others. The papers include a study on RPGs for mental health, how TTRPGs can help with teaching science, and the correlation of playing TTRPGs with developing "employability skills."
"Role Playing Games as an Educational Simulation" by Eduardo Adrian Chavez Lizama and Ricardo Morales Carbajal, Analog Game Studies, 10/13/24. In a research study, the use of a TTRPG improved final grades in college math courses as well as high school social studies classes.
"How this educator integrates Dungeons & Dragons into the curriculum" by Rob Brant (New Hope Academy in IL), eSchool News, 10/7/24.
"Supporting Student Development with Role-Playing Games" by Kade C. Wells, Edutopia, 10/12/23. (Also see his appearances in the International Literacy Association webinar series below, as well as a link to Wells's website in Educator Stories above.)
"Follow up - Librarians report: Dungeons & Dragons in the Library" by Jake Ciarapica, American Library Association: Games and Gaming Round Table, 2/6/23. Great advice on how to handle the challenges of running role-playing game sessions on an ongoing basis when player participation can be inconsistent and many are seeking a "taste" without being well versed in the rules.
"How Youth Can Build Social and Emotional Skills in Tabletop Role-Playing Games" by Caroline Pitt, Katharine Chen, Jennifer Rubin, Dominic Gibson, and Samantha Bindman, foundry10, January 2023. "This white paper highlights findings from a collaborative study on the potential benefits of tabletop role-playing games as tools for supporting youth SEL skill development."
"When the Teacher is the Dungeon Master: why you should role the dice on bringing Dungeons and Dragons into the classroom" by Emily Gaudette, The Elective (College Board online magazine), 2/7/20.
"Exploring the Use of Role-Playing Games in Education" by Richard Heinz Patrick Prager, The MT Review, 12/30/19. Abstract and full PDF of article available.
"Dungeons and Dragons storms education" by Matt Zalaznick, District Administration, 11/28/18.
"Creating an educational RPG adventure for your classroom" by Adam Watson, Classcraft blog, 1/16/17. (Note: original article was taken down; link is courtesy of the Internet Archive.)
"Learning by Playing: Larp as a Teaching Method" by Muriel Balzer and Julia Kurz, Nordic Larp, 2015. Some Scandinavian schools have been using elements of RPGs in their classrooms for years, expanding them into entire schools built around "edularps" (educational live action role playing). This article explains the pedagogical grounding behind such RPG-themed schools. Also see the video link below about Østerskov Eferskole, a boarding school in Denmark.
Articles (General Audience)
"Dungeons, Dragons & Diversity" by Meredith Fidrocki, Holy Cross Magazine, September 2025. A course at Holy Cross, run by Jorge Santos (associate professor of English), uses D&D as part of the college's first year Montserrat program to not only examine representation in gaming, but for the freshmen students to bond and develop durable skills.
"It started with friends at home. Now Dungeons & Dragons is in its stadium era" by Scott Greenstone, NPR, 8/7/25. Although it doesn't touch on educational possibilities of TTRPGs, it's an excellent article that summarizes the current enormous popularity of D&D.
"The Surprising Science of Dungeons & Dragons" by Rachel Feltman, Kelso Harper, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura, Scientific American, 7/18/25. While it starts as an interview with popular comedian and DM Brennan Lee Mulligan, the article also discusses how TTRPGs can positively impact mental health.
"Parents can learn a lot from the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game" by Shannon Carpenter, CNN, 10/13/24. Features an interview with Shelly Mazzanoble, author of How to Dungeon Master Parenting (as well as the co-author of Welcome to Dragon Talk listed below).
"Dungeons & Dragons class at MSVU this winter, nearly full already: New course teaches power, politics, empathy through popular role-playing game" by Lauren Phillips, The Coast, 7/14/24.
"How Therapists are Using Tabletop Games to Help People" by Kam Burns, Wired, 10/22/22.
"10 Ways D&D Can Be Used As an Educational Tool" by Rebekah Krum, CBR, 9/13/22. These examples could easily apply to TTRPGs in general as well.
"D & D After School" by Jane Hoskyn, Dragon+, February 2021. Discusses Stefan McNinch's after school D & D club and how it improved the academic and SEL achievements of his students, as well as links to D & D family and community resources. (Note: original article was taken down; link is courtesy of the Internet Archive.)
'How Schools Spark Excitement for Learning with Role Playing and Games" by Paul Darvasi, KQED, 2/20/19.
Books / Book Excerpts
Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom: Infusing Gameplay into K-12 Instruction by Adam Watson (to be published late 2025).
"Bearing the Torch for the Party: Sharing the Stories of Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) in Education." Adam wrote a guest chapter for an academic anthology book Urgent Care for Educators: Situating Responsibility as a Way for Educators to Transform School Cultures (Brill, 2025, edited by Barbara J. Smith); teachers Justin Gadd, Morgan Seely, John Brewer, and Chad Collins are highlighted. The chapter is also available separately via Brill's academic research site.
"Stories from the Field: Lexie Bewley Gilley." Adam Watson wrote a contribution to Karin Hess's Applying Depth of Knowledge and Cognitive Rigor (2025, page 69). It discusses Bewley Gilley's use of TTRPGs in her high school social studies classroom. You can read more on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.
Let's Roll: A Guide to Setting up Tabletop Role-Playing Games in your School or Public Library by Lucas Maxwell (published 2023). This short book -- 82 pages, including the index -- is written by a British school librarian, and as the title suggests, is mainly focused on setting up TTRPGs in an extracurricular setting in a library. However, there are some tips and anecdotes here that might be helpful when thinking about running TTRPGs in a classroom setting, as well as with neurodivergent learners.
Welcome to Dragon Talk: Inspiring Conversations about Dungeons & Dragons and the People Who Love to Play It by Shelly Mazzanoble and Greg Tito (published in 2022). Featuring stories from the former official podcast of D&D of which Mazzanoble and Tito were the hosts, several chapters discuss how educators and therapists have used the game in their own fields. One highlight is the work of Dr. Megan A. Connell, the author of Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy (2023).
The Role-Playing Society: Essays on the Cultural Influence of RPGs, edited by Andrew Byers and Francesco Crocco (published in 2016). While not every essay deals with TTRPGs or K-12 education, this very readable book contains several essays that are valuable as case study examples of implementation as well as recent scholastic research.
World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements by John Hunter (published 2013). In 1978, John Hunter designed "The World Peace Game" for his elementary students. In the years since, it has now been played around the world; Hunter and one particular class of students even were invited to the Pentagon! The game consists of a four level board (representing sea, land, air and space), and students are the leaders of various nations and global factions who attempt to resolve multiple crises in order to achieve "world peace." Besides Hunter's book, there is also a documentary available for rental (an extended trailer is here), and Hunter also founded an organization to train others how to facilitate the game. (Special thanks to Tony Dougherty and Dan Burkey for separately recommending the game.)
Conferences
Serious Play Conference. Annually held in various locations since 2006, they are "driven by a shared belief in the transformative potential of games and simulations." (Adam and Kalli Colley presented at the 2025 conference in Rochester, NY, and he shares about the experience here.)
Play Make Learn . Held in Madison, Wisconsin, this annual conference has been running since 2017. The focus is on many aspects of play in pre-K through college teaching; the role of librarians (particularly in makerspaces); and game-based learning in general, from video games to board games to TTRPGs. (Adam attended the 2024 conference, and some TTRPG stories from PML are here.)
Trade Day (Gen Con). Gen Con is an annual convention advertised with the trademarked slogan "The Best Four Days in Gaming." It has modest beginnings going back to Horticulture Hall in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where D&D's Gary Gygax held the first official gathering in 1968. Since 2003, Gen Con has been located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is considered the largest of its kind in North America. While Gen Con is held Thursday through Sunday, Trade Day is an affiliated kickoff one day conference on Wednesday, and is intended for teachers, librarians and game publishers; breakout sessions are offered with an educational focus. A badge for Trade Day also includes Thursday-Sunday access to the rest of Gen Con. (Adam attended in 2023, and presented with Justin Gadd at Trade Day in 2024!)
Organizations (Academic, Advocacy)
The Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games (CAR-PGa). This organization has been around since the 1990's, doing advocacy on the positive impact of TTRPGs. Their YouTube channel features interviews with prominent game designers and popular authors on the topic; their website includes many resources that could help build the case for convincing a skeptic educator, including a monthly newsletter with recently published articles on TTRPGs (often with an educational focus).
TTRPGkids. A website run by Steph Campbell, a higher ed engineering professor. The site is one of the oldest resources on the Internet for the impact of TTRPGs on young people. There are frequent educational posts that, while mainly about general tips, strategies, and an occasional recommended game, could be of help to a K-12 educator.
Culliope's Cauldron. Maryanne Cullinan is an educator who not only utilizes RPGs, but is doing research on RPGs in schools as part of her PhD work. She was featured in the International Literacy Association's webinar on D & D helping with student writing (10/11/22), linked below.
Reacting Consortium. A higher ed program first begun at Barnard College (New York) in 1995 by Mark C. Carnes,; since then, a multitude of RPG various modules ("Reacting to the Past") have been created around key moments in history. Students are given roles, learn their parts, and do critical readings in preparation to play the multi-day modules in class. An overview video and an example RPG module are linked above; you may also want to read the blog entry "Introducing Reacting to the High School Classroom" by Harry Shontz (10/6/22).
Podcasters / Vloggers
Teachers in the Dungeon. A podcast by two educators, Dan Reem and Tom Gross. As a starting point, check out this Doc for information on a 4/11/23 episode with tips on running adventures for those aged 12 and under.
Stories RPG. An ongoing "play through" of a role-playing game, led by Michael Low, for the purpose of helping young people tell stories. Low has more games and resources through his Luck of Legends website.
Bill Allan on Twitter and on YouTube. Allan is a high school teacher that produces a popular YouTube series with several seasons of "D & D with High School Students."
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