Learner Outcomes

"Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results." 

 John Dewey

The StoryForge program is designed to:

The learning outcomes are rooted in three core values: inclusion, confidence-building, and player agency.

Inclusion

Inclusion lies at the heart of StoryForge, with the programme centred around group-based activities. To succeed, learners must collaborate and communicate, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing isolation. These shared experiences help build camaraderie, in-jokes, and deeper connections among peers, offering a chance for lonely or marginalised learners to engage, even if only through discussing the game. Playing characters with diverse perspectives encourages empathy and understanding, reducing aggression and promoting a more supportive classroom environment.

Confidence building

The challenges and successes learners face in-game often translate to real-life situations. By solving fictional problems, students strengthen their problem-solving skills, both individually and collaboratively. They practise giving and receiving feedback, asking for help, and engaging in difficult conversations, building resilience and adaptability for real-world situations. Additionally, using rulebooks and indexes to resolve conflicts enhances critical thinking and literacy—an invaluable but often overlooked skill.

Player agency

Many learners are simply used to being told what to do, which can leave them feeling powerless and disconnected from their outcomes. StoryForge empowers learners by enabling meaningful actions within the game, where they see the real-time impact of their decisions. By controlling their characters and taking on the role of heroes, learners build self-worth, confidence, and a sense of agency—often discovering for the first time that their choices truly matter. This experience helps them recognise their ability to make a positive impact, generating belief in their capacity to contribute meaningfully both in the game sessions as well as beyond the classroom.

The Right Set of Educational Tools

Every learner deserves the chance to thrive, but recent studies have concluded that traditional classrooms simply don’t meet the needs of everyone. StoryForge bridges this gap by combining immersive storytelling with skill-building exercises. Below are some key tools facilitators can use to ensure success, including methods for guiding reflections, pacing gameplay, encouraging collaboration, and providing constructive feedback.

The Role of the Facilitator

The Facilitator plays a crucial role in guiding the game as an educational tool. They set the tone, provide explanations, and offer guidance to help students develop key skills such as decision-making, perspective-taking, and social awareness. Acting as the architect, conductor, and arbiter, the Facilitator creates a structured yet flexible environment, ensuring the game remains focused while supporting students' growth.

A Simulated World

StoryForge games act as simulation training, offering students a flexible space to practise social skills. In this controlled environment, they can experiment and make mistakes without serious consequences. Skills such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, and collaboration, gained through gameplay, naturally translate into real-life situations.

The immersive nature of StoryForge can make in-game events feel remarkably real, leading to genuine emotional reactions. These moments of emotional investment provide opportunities for reflection and growth. Facilitators can help students regulate their emotions by asking questions about how their character feels, shifting the focus away from the student and fostering perspective-taking without shaming.

This simulated world is especially beneficial for students who struggle with challenging behaviours in traditional settings. For instance, a student who might act out during a maths test can instead engage in a scenario like escaping a room filling with lava. Successfully navigating such challenges boosts their confidence and equips them to approach real-world difficulties with a renewed sense of capability.

Slowing Down Time

One of the Facilitator’s most valuable tools is the ability to slow down game time. In a game with multiple outcomes, this pause allows players to reflect on their choices. For example, if a learner excitedly announces:

“I cast fire magic!” without considering the wooden building they’re standing in, the Facilitator can step in with:

“You did notice the building is made of wood, didn’t you? Let’s think about what might happen next if you go ahead with that.”

This deliberate slowing of time helps more impulsive learners develop critical thinking skills by considering the consequences of their actions. It also creates space to address behaviour constructively. For example, if a learner frequently interrupts others, the Facilitator can pause and gently redirect:

“Your character keeps interrupting the others. Why do you think that’s happening?”

By shifting attention away from the learner and instead onto their character, this approach encourages perspective-taking and allows the group to discuss how certain behaviours affect others. By framing feedback within the game, the Facilitator can correct disruptive behaviour without shaming the learner, making it easier for them to internalise social norms and practise empathy.

Learning Through Internal Conflict

Conflict, when approached constructively, can be a powerful learning tool. In StoryForge, interpersonal conflicts offer students opportunities to practise regulation, collaboration, and perspective-taking in a safe, controlled environment.

These conflicts may arise over strategic decisions or gameplay moments and challenge students to process emotions, communicate effectively, and navigate differences in opinion. Through these scenarios, students develop essential skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, and teamwork.

The separation between the player and their character makes StoryForge particularly effective for conflict resolution. This detachment provides a “testing ground” for students to safely explore conflict dynamics, building strategies and confidence to handle real-life situations.

Learner Outcomes

StoryForge is not just a game—it’s a transformative educational tool that combines storytelling, problem-solving, and personal growth. It provides a safe, engaging space for students to develop academic, social, and emotional skills. Grounded in inclusion, confidence, and agency, StoryForge helps students connect, grow, and approach challenges with resilience and creativity. For students who may struggle to fit within traditional educational structures, StoryForge offers the support and tools they need to thrive.