An Educational Path on Universal Design. Video Games as Learning Tools

PUDCAD (Practicing Universal Design Principles In Design Education Through A Cad-Based Game) is a project founded by the European Erasmus + program for innovation and sharing of good practices in education. It provides, at systemic level, the modernization and activation of educational paths through cooperation with partners from different countries through participatory approaches based on ICT. The aim of PUDCAD is the creation of a playful computer assisted drawing application that allows interior architecture and design students to learn and use Universal design principles. This paper explains the different stages of research implementation. The first step was a workshop focused on a survey method developed to verify the compliance of educational environments with the principles of Universal Design (Checklist). Together with simulated direct experience (Empathy trial), it led the students involved to the creation of scenarios for school integration. In the second workshop the application of ad hoc parameter of universal design for spaces of learning led to the definition of Game Maps, where environments and characters of the game were identified. In the third, building on the second step material, table games able of sensitizing the user and supporting her/him in the design of inclusive environments were developed. In the fourth workshop the students developed and tested the videogame’s Alpha version providing feedback and ideas for the ultimate version presented in the fifth workshop. Reviewing the process applied to build the application, the article explores educational experimentation and pedagogical aspects, emphasizing how the videogame, beyond entertainment, can support and promote new learning paths complementary to canonical teaching methods.