This class will teach learner to play Dungeons and Dragons. They will learn what Dungeons and Dragons is and isn't, they will learn what the various dice are for and when to roll them, they will learn to create characters from their own imaginations. We will cover game mechanics and concepts such as armor class and hit points, skill checks and saving throws, but it is when these things are used together to play the game that the real benefits of Dungeons and Dragons are unleashed.

Dungeons and Dragons and other roleplaying games like it have showed their value in studies to assist in the teaching and reinforcement of important social and cognitive skills.  I recently completed Level 1 of the Games2Grow approach to Therapeutic Application of Roleplaying Games. Therapist are using roleplaying games in schools, residential facilities, outpatient mental health populations, military veterans and first responders to assist in the treatment of ASD, ADHD, anxiety, trauma treatment resistance and fatigue.

I am not a therapist but have learned that playing Dungeons and Dragons can do a number of things for the players.
D&D gives them ownership over their characters allowing them to express themselves.
D&D gives players opportunity modeling, social skill practice and coaching.
D&D provides the possibility for the translation of acquired skills from a fantasy setting to the real world.
D&D teaches players control over their emotions like excitability take can delay other mental abilities like reason, and determining consequences of actions
D&D Teaches Collaboration between players to avoid negative consequences and complete task and quest.
D&D teaches the need for planning ahead, to thing out one's actions and the possible consequences of those actions
D&D teaches players perspective and empathy for others
D&D provides a fantasy space to problem solve.
D&D teaches interacting with peers in a positive manner.
D&D teaches positive interaction with leaders
D&D allows the practice of communicating verbally and non-verbally
D&D teaches self-advocacy.
and many more skills. Players will touch on all of these and not even realize it as they play a enjoyable game.

I have been playing Dungeons and Dragons for 44 years, and gamemastering for most of that time. Dungeons and Dragons has had a profound impact on my life. It has given me a lifetime of enjoyment that I want to share with others and help a new generation of players enter the hobby.

I have recently retired from  a thirty year career in law enforcement and have a degree in criminal justice, with a minor study in history and philosophy 

Completed Level One Training of Games2Grow therapeutic application of roleplaying games

About ten years ago I was diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia.  The doctor said that over my lifetime I had formed some solid coping skills to handle these disorders. I attribute many of these skills to Dungeons and Dragons. It was playing Dungeons and Dragons at a young age that turned me on to reading, a love for history, philosopy and appreciation for martial arts and other cultures.

This class will use two web sites:
Rolling Dice witrh Friends https://rolldicewithfriends.com/
Dungeons and Dragons Beyond: https://www.dndbeyond