Immersive role-playing experiences, such as "Reacting to the Past" games, can be a powerful way to engage students with complex historical events. However, the development process can be time intensive. This session explores how I utilized the AI language model Gemini Advanced to streamline the development of a game centered on the 1994-1995 Enola Gay exhibit controversy designed for use in college courses. With the support of an OER grant, my team initially created a long-form game that takes weeks of class time to play. I'll demonstrate how AI tools enabled me to rapidly adapt the game design, generating new character roles and supporting materials to create a short version that could be played in one session. I will also offer strategies for using AI to create role immersion games for use in class.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Understand the potential of AI-assisted historical game design.
- Apply strategies for tailoring AI-generated content to educational needs.
- Design role-play elements for short-form history lessons.
- Explain the benefits of student-centered learning activities in history courses.
