A guide for educators on creating engaging learning experiences that effectively teach high school students interpersonal skills.
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Give teens freedom and autonomy

Students value autonomy and choice, and feeling forced into activities hinders authentic engagement.

Create distance from daily life

Address serious issues implicitly to avoid confrontation, and maintain psychological safety by creating distance from

Keep stakes low

Foster creativity and genuine learning by providing a safe and supportive environment that encourages exploration

Play first, explain later

Prioritize hands-on, experiential learning over detailed explanations, allowing students to enjoy and discover concepts on

Make it fun and silly

Foster a lighthearted and fun environment in learning experiences, encouraging students to return willingly and

Stimulate social connection

Students seek more social connection in school but find technology-driven interactions can sometimes lead to

Give sense of anticipation & surprise

Incorporate replayability and a sense of surprise to break away from rigid routines, sparking curiosity

Respect teens for their maturity

Respect teenagers as individuals during their crucial phase of development, avoiding infantilizing activities to maintain

Leverage love for competition

Integrate light competition into games and activities to captivate and challenge teenagers, fostering critical thinking

Promote active thinking during gameplay

Design activities that require strategizing, collaboration, and applying knowledge, creating a fun and educational gameplay

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