Levelling Up Literacy: Video Games as Tools for Storytelling and Empathy

Video games have evolved far beyond entertainment, emerging as powerful narrative texts that rival literature and film in emotional depth and thematic complexity. This session explores how educators can harness the storytelling potential of video games to foster literacy, empathy, and critical thinking in students from elementary through junior high. Co-presented by a junior high educator who has been gaming for decades and an elementary teacher new to gaming, this session offers a dual perspective on integrating interactive storytelling into diverse classrooms. Through examples spanning age groups, we’ll examine how games explore themes like morality, resilience, and human connection—and how player agency transforms passive consumption into active engagement. Participants will analyze character development, story structure, and narrative techniques, and will be invited to experiment with curated games that support classroom discussion and creative expression. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just starting out, this session will equip you with practical strategies and fresh insights to make video games a dynamic tool for learning. Please bring a device with a keyboard to explore some of the featured games hands-on.