Leveraging Game Design Activities for Middle Grades AI Education in Rural Communities
Jessica L. Vandenberg, Wookhee Min, Veronica Cateté, Danielle Cadieux Boulden, Bradford Mott · 2023
The ever pervasive nature of artificial intelligence (AI) in our world necessitates a focus on fostering an AI literate society. Young children, those aged 11 to 14, are at a critical point in developing their dispositions toward and perceptions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which influences their future education and career interests. Youth in rural areas are in particular need of access to AI learning opportunities to prepare them for the future workforce; digital games may be one way to attract young, rural students to STEM education and careers. In this paper, we explore how to introduce rural middle grades students to foundational AI concepts through digital game design activities. To inform our efforts and to establish an understanding of what these student populations as well as their teachers know about AI and games, we conducted a set of interviews and focus groups. In brief, students’ awareness and understanding of AI varied significantly, whereas teachers had limited knowledge of AI. Moreover, students shared great interest in playing and designing games. In support of our findings, we are developing a set of game design activities around five core AI concepts and ensuring the activities are of interest to our rural students.