Games + Learning + Society Conference Proceedings

Members within and outside game design and game studies communities have critiqued the lack of diversity in the fields. Encouraging school-age children and youth from diverse backgrounds is one approach to addressing this concern. New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) Learning Games Lab has developed a Toolkit that enhances children and youth’s interests in being game developers, knowledge and skill in reviewing games and digital media, and engagement in the game design process. By using teaching and learning principles based in Universal Design for Learning, culturally responsive education, and media literacy, the Learning Games Lab creates learning experiences that cultivate a sense of belonging in game communities and foster critical thinking and creativity for children and youth of diverse backgrounds.