What is What the Deck

Thanks for asking! IMPACT is an exploratory, card-based game that aims to introduce students, faculty and staff of all ages and backgrounds to a wide variety of situations in which established and emerging technologies impact society.

IMPACT starts from a position of empathy, introducing character cards representing people whose backstories offer opportunities for nuanced consideration as action cards are added to the gameplay mix. Players unpack how each of the technology cards might impact the society, industry or other community in which the character (and we) spend our day-to-day through human-centered conversation.

IMPACT is designed to get players thinking critically about technology, how it intersects with society and how these interactions affect many aspects of our individual lives.

The deck is intended to be flexible; it can be a starter activity that leads into a larger discussion or lesson or it can be used as a standalone activity that can be paired with other game-related exercises or assignments.

Here’s some of what we hope players come away with after a round or two of What the Deck:

Players will be able to think critically about how technology affects everyday life, including teaching and learning.

Players will be able to weigh the pros and cons of specific technologies as they relate to complex scenarios.

Players will be able to tell a story, based on reflection about a specific interaction between characters and technologies, defined by the deck assignments.

Want to play IMPACT in your class with us?