This paper investigates storytelling as an approach to co-design research with diverse middle school-aged youth. Using microanalytic methods of interaction analysis (Jordan & Henderson, 1995) and positioning theory (Goffman, 1981) to analyze data from online play-testing and co-design sessions with youth, the paper explores how storytelling enabled youth to navigate and shift between the dual roles of game player and designer, (re)configuring elements of the existing game and incorporating their own stories. This paper advocates for the inclusion of storytelling as a fruitful co-design method in the creation of identity-aligned gaming experiences and more immersive and inclusive virtual worlds.
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Youth Identity Enactments through Storytelling during Co-design of an Educational Virtual Game World
This paper examines youth storytelling during co-design of an identity-expressive educational game for learning data science. Using interaction analysis of co-design interviews with middle school students, we explore how storytelling allows participants to (a) use existing game elements to position themselves and (b) express their interests and identities through imagined game futures. We argue that analyzing youth's interactive storytelling and identity enactments during co-design can inform the development of game narratives that represent diverse youth. Our findings contribute to the design of inclusive virtual worlds for STEM learning that celebrate youth identities and experiences. We discuss implications for engaging youth voices in the co-design process and creating educational games that resonate with diverse learners.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2214516
- PAR ID:
- 10537989
- Editor(s):
- Lindgren, R; Asino, T I; Kyza, E A; Looi, C K; Keifert, D T; Suárez, E
- Publisher / Repository:
- Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the Learning Sciences - ICLS 2024
- Date Published:
- ISBN:
- 979-8-9906980-0-0
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1538 to 1541
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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