DESIGNWNOY
DESIGNWNOY
Read. Reflect. Play.
Read. Reflect. Play.
Leveling Up Middle School Reading Through Game Play
Leveling Up Middle School Reading Through Game Play
Team
1 UX Researcher, 2 UX Designers
Timeline
Jul 2024 - May 2025
Methodology
Participatory Research, Game Design, Playtesting
(TLDR)
(TLDR)
Jordan loves stories. But at 12, reading alone
Jordan loves stories.
But at 12, reading alone
still feels like a wall she can't climb.
still feels like a wall
she can't climb.
"I'd rather do Tiktok," she told us during one of our workshops.
"I'd rather do Tiktok," she told us during one of our workshops.
And she’s not alone. 69% of U.S. middle schoolers read below grade level. Students regularly learn comprehension strategies in class, but rarely apply them independently. Once teacher support fades, reading becomes a chore, not a skill; a gap that stalls true comprehension and undermines long-term learning.
And she’s not alone. 69% of U.S. middle schoolers read below grade level. Students regularly learn comprehension strategies in class, but rarely apply them independently. Once teacher support fades, reading becomes a chore, not a skill; a gap that stalls true comprehension and undermines long-term learning.
The Problem
The Problem
Most reading tools test comprehension, overlooking the messy, emotional, and strategic journey of actually learning how to read deeply and independently.
Most reading tools test comprehension, overlooking the messy, emotional, and strategic journey of actually learning how to read deeply and independently.
My Role
My Role
I brought the game to life from both sides of the table, designing and running playful co-design workshops with middle schoolers, then turning their ideas into a scaffolded core loop, vivid visuals, and a modular game kit.
I brought the game to life from both sides of the table, designing and running playful co-design workshops with middle schoolers, then turning their ideas into a scaffolded core loop, vivid visuals, and a modular game kit.
Core Insight
Core Insight
Through workshops and testing with students and teachers, we found:
Students need space to explore, reflect, and fail safely
Teachers want structured support that mirrors classroom instruction
Tools must balance creativity with strategy practice
Through workshops and testing with students and teachers, we found:
Students need space to explore, reflect, and fail safely
Teachers want structured support that mirrors classroom instruction
Tools must balance creativity with strategy practice
(Our Solution)
(Our Solution)
Turning Strategies Into Superpowers with Guardians of Luminara
Turning Strategies Into Superpowers with Guardians of Luminara
A narrative-driven reading game that helps students practice essential comprehension strategies independently through scaffolded missions, playful storytelling, and feedback-driven reflection.
A narrative-driven reading game that helps students practice essential comprehension strategies independently through scaffolded missions, playful storytelling, and feedback-driven reflection.
Strategies Become Powers
Comprehension tools like the highlighter, sticky note, and emoji stamp mirror strategies like clarify, question, evaluate, turning skills into interactive, collectible powers.
Strategies Become Powers
Comprehension tools like the highlighter, sticky note, and emoji stamp mirror strategies like clarify, question, evaluate, turning skills into interactive, collectible powers.
Learning Through Play
Students tackle quests that require chunking stories, building comics, and making predictions. No multiple-choice fatigue here, just creative engagement.
Classroom Scaffolding
Following the gradual release model, the game loop moves from modeling → guided practice → independent play. Prompting fades as students build stamina and skill mastery.
Playful, Not Test-Heavy
Students engage with stories through hands-on challenges such as chunking, visualizing narratives, and predicting twists without the stress of tests and quizzes.
The Learning Loop
At the heart of Luminara is a classroom-inspired, modular loop:
Read → Apply → Reflect → Play
Each reading mission aligns with a specific comprehension strategy, giving students the chance to practice on their own with just the right amount of guidance to keep them moving forward.
(How We Got There)
Why strategies don’t stick and what students really need
Why strategies don’t stick and what students really need
To answer this, we took a multi-pronged approach, triangulating classroom pedagogy, cognitive science, and game-based learning to map out where comprehension support breaks down.
How We Investigated
Product Teardown - Discovery Education
Product Teardown - Discovery Education
Revealed limited ELA support compared to rich offerings in Math and immersive tools like Sandbox AR.
Revealed limited ELA support compared to rich offerings in Math and immersive tools like Sandbox AR.
Landscape Analysis
Landscape Analysis
Benchmarked ELA tools like Blooket and Reading Plus—few supported deeper strategy practice or reflection.
Benchmarked ELA tools like Blooket and Reading Plus—few supported deeper strategy practice or reflection.
Literature & Standards Review
Literature & Standards Review
Mapped metacognitive frameworks and the Gradual Release Model to Common Core reading goals.
Mapped metacognitive frameworks and the Gradual Release Model to Common Core reading goals.
3 Classroom Observations
3 Classroom Observations
At Kumon and Howard School, students relied heavily on prompts, even during guided reading.
At Kumon and Howard School, students relied heavily on prompts, even during guided reading.
45 Educator Surveys
45 Educator Surveys
Identified top student challenges: low motivation (83%), weak attention spans (74%), and poor strategy transfer (71%).
Identified top student challenges: low motivation (83%), weak attention spans (74%), and poor strategy transfer (71%).
10 In-Depth Interviews
10 In-Depth Interviews
Teachers and specialists revealed a gap between modeled instruction and independent comprehension.
Teachers and specialists revealed a gap between modeled instruction and independent comprehension.
(Key Insights)
(Key Insights)
Remove the support, lose the reader
Remove the support, lose the reader
Teachers often use a scaffolded approach in classrooms —> first modeling a skill, then guiding students through it, and finally stepping back. This gradual release of responsibility helps middle schoolers practice strategies like summarization and prediction across different phases of instruction.
Teachers often use a scaffolded approach in classrooms —> first modeling a skill, then guiding students through it, and finally stepping back. This gradual release of responsibility helps middle schoolers practice strategies like summarization and prediction across different phases of instruction.
I do → We do → You do (together) → You do (alone)
I do → We do → You do (together) → You do (alone)
Middle schoolers learn and practice comprehension strategies at every stage, but many stall at the final stage - independent application. Once the teacher steps away, comprehension fades.
Middle schoolers learn and practice comprehension strategies at every stage, but many stall at the final stage - independent application. Once the teacher steps away, comprehension fades.
Over-Scaffolded, Under-Practiced
Over-Scaffolded, Under-Practiced
Most tools test comprehension but rarely teach how to read strategically. Students lean on teacher prompts and rigid platforms, leaving little space to practice and internalize strategies as habits.
Most tools test comprehension but rarely teach how to read strategically. Students lean on teacher prompts and rigid platforms, leaving little space to practice and internalize strategies as habits.
Reflection Stays Invisible
Reflection Stays Invisible
Without built-in prompts, students seldom pause to ask Do I understand this? They lose track of which strategies they’re using, so comprehension fades once support is removed.
Without built-in prompts, students seldom pause to ask Do I understand this? They lose track of which strategies they’re using, so comprehension fades once support is removed.
Reading Feels Fragile & Unrewarding
Reading Feels Fragile & Unrewarding
Invisible struggles feed weak reading identities. Many quickly label themselves “bad at reading,” while low stamina and lack of feedback make reading feel passive, leading students to avoid harder texts.
Invisible struggles feed weak reading identities. Many quickly label themselves “bad at reading,” while low stamina and lack of feedback make reading feel passive, leading students to avoid harder texts.
(Co-designing with the learners)
(Co-designing with the learners)
Building with (not for) students
Building with (not for) students
We ran two fast-paced participatory workshops at The Howard School, inviting middle-schoolers, many with language-based learning differences. Each session blended co-creation, story-building, and scenario-based reflection.
We ran two fast-paced participatory workshops at The Howard School, inviting middle-schoolers, many with language-based learning differences. Each session blended co-creation, story-building, and scenario-based reflection.
Students chase creative agency; teachers sought structure
Students chase creative agency; teachers sought structure
Creation beats consumption
Creation beats consumption
Students were deeply drawn to creative story-building, but lost interest when faced with dry comprehension tasks.
Students were deeply drawn to creative story-building, but lost interest when faced with dry comprehension tasks.
Structure supports strategy
Structure supports strategy
Left unchecked, students skipped comprehension tasks. Educators emphasized the need for reflection and skill-building.
Left unchecked, students skipped comprehension tasks. Educators emphasized the need for reflection and skill-building.
Collaboration isn't universal
Collaboration isn't universal
While some thrived in collaborative settings, others preferred working solo, highlighting the need for flexible modes of engagement.
While some thrived in collaborative settings, others preferred working solo, highlighting the need for flexible modes of engagement.
Using this feedback, we reimagined a hybrid concept: a game that blends playful agency with purposeful reading strategies. In the second workshop, we tested this loop: highlight → predict → build comics.
Using this feedback, we reimagined a hybrid concept: a game that blends playful agency with purposeful reading strategies. In the second workshop, we tested this loop: highlight → predict → build comics.
(What Emerged)
01
Students thrived when structure was baked into creative freedom
02
Scaffolded feedback improved strategy use dramatically
03
Tasks anchored reflection and strategy recognition.
04
Students were more engaged as players, not test-takers
(Turning insights to mechanics)
Designing a game that teaches how to read
Designing a game that teaches how to read
The workshops made one thing clear: simply digitizing classroom tools wasn’t enough. We had to reimagine practice as play, making comprehension feel rewarding, not remedial.
In Guardians of Luminara, every interaction was designed to be fun and intuitive, while quietly doing the heavy lifting of cognitive scaffolding. Classroom strategies were transformed into game mechanics that students could learn, practice, and eventually make their own.
The workshops made one thing clear: simply digitizing classroom tools wasn’t enough. We had to reimagine practice as play, making comprehension feel rewarding, not remedial.
In Guardians of Luminara, every interaction was designed to be fun and intuitive, while quietly doing the heavy lifting of cognitive scaffolding. Classroom strategies were transformed into game mechanics that students could learn, practice, and eventually make their own.
Some early prototypes
Some early prototypes
(Feedback from the field)
Early tests showed clear classroom value
Early tests showed clear classroom value
We ran 1:1 walkthroughs with two ELA teachers and one tutor. Their verdict? This game meets a real need.
We ran 1:1 walkthroughs with two ELA teachers and one tutor. Their verdict? This game meets a real need.
What they loved:
Scaffolding and adaptive prompts that mimic in-class supports
Multiple modes of engagement (highlighting, comics, reflections)
Opportunities for formative assessment, especially through a potential dashboard
What they loved:
Scaffolding and adaptive prompts that mimic in-class supports
Multiple modes of engagement (highlighting, comics, reflections)
Opportunities for formative assessment, especially through a potential dashboard
“You’re quietly doing the hard stuff — and making it fun.”
“This is genius. You could transform kids’ lives.”
“You’re quietly doing the hard stuff — and making it fun.”
“This is genius. You could transform kids’ lives.”
What they suggested:
Replacing multipart questions with stronger, single-prompt reflections
Tracking skill depth, not just task completion
Making annotation accuracy and effort visible to students and teachers
What they suggested:
Replacing multipart questions with stronger, single-prompt reflections
Tracking skill depth, not just task completion
Making annotation accuracy and effort visible to students and teachers
These insights directly shaped our smart scoring system and future plans for a teacher dashboard.
These insights directly shaped our smart scoring system and future plans for a teacher dashboard.
(Visual Design)
(Visual Design)
Every screen was crafted to feel like stepping into a storybook
Every screen was crafted to feel like stepping into a storybook
Hours Spent
100+
Custom Assets
24
We paired warm, earthy tones with a scrapbook-adventure aesthetic to evoke the feel of a cozy, enchanted library. The interface blends hand-drawn and AI-generated visuals with dyslexia-friendly typography to support readability and focus.
We paired warm, earthy tones with a scrapbook-adventure aesthetic to evoke the feel of a cozy, enchanted library. The interface blends hand-drawn and AI-generated visuals with dyslexia-friendly typography to support readability and focus.
Argus, the playful non-human guide, was inspired by Rafiki, Pogo, and the Mad Hatter. Finally, the background subtly weave in books, scrolls, and layered paper textures to ground students in a world built around reading.
Argus, the playful non-human guide, was inspired by Rafiki, Pogo, and the Mad Hatter. Finally, the background subtly weave in books, scrolls, and layered paper textures to ground students in a world built around reading.
Welcome to Luminara, a library under threat
Welcome to Luminara, a library under threat
Premise
Premise
Set in a magical library eroded by a shadowy force called Oblivion, the game invites students to take on the role of Guardians. Their goal? Recover erased knowledge by reading, reflecting, and completing scaffolded quests.
Each mission targets a specific reading strategy, and turns it into a “power” students can strengthen over time.
Set in a magical library eroded by a shadowy force called Oblivion, the game invites students to take on the role of Guardians. Their goal? Recover erased knowledge by reading, reflecting, and completing scaffolded quests.
Each mission targets a specific reading strategy, and turns it into a “power” students can strengthen over time.
Read → Apply → Reflect → Play
Read → Apply → Reflect → Play
Each mission models one key strategy, then helps students practice it.
Each mission models one key strategy, then helps students practice it.
Read
Read
Students engage with bite-sized story chunks in an interactive reading panel. They use guided tools to highlight, tag, annotate, and react to key moments—scaffolding attention and engagement.
Students engage with bite-sized story chunks in an interactive reading panel. They use guided tools to highlight, tag, annotate, and react to key moments—scaffolding attention and engagement.
Apply (a strategy)
Apply (a strategy)
Guided by a mission goal (e.g., summarize or predict), students complete a structured task. This might be a visual comic strip, a prediction challenge, or a sequencing puzzle.
Guided by a mission goal (e.g., summarize or predict), students complete a structured task. This might be a visual comic strip, a prediction challenge, or a sequencing puzzle.
Reflect
Reflect
Each mission ends with a quick reflection like “What helped you understand the story?” — a protective layer that reinforces comprehension and symbolically preserves the story.
Each mission ends with a quick reflection like “What helped you understand the story?” — a protective layer that reinforces comprehension and symbolically preserves the story.
Play (& Practice)
Play (& Practice)
As students complete more missions, scaffolding fades. Visual meters track growth in each strategy, and powers “level up” as they’re used, turning practice into progress.
As students complete more missions, scaffolding fades. Visual meters track growth in each strategy, and powers “level up” as they’re used, turning practice into progress.
Game Mechanics That Map to How Students Learn
Game Mechanics That Map to How Students Learn
Adaptive Gameplay
Adaptive Gameplay
As students progress, the game dynamically adapts to their skill level and reading stamina. Early missions include direct prompts and stronger hints, while later levels grow more complex and open-ended.
Text density, prompt frequency, and hint strength is adjusted based on:
Accuracy trends
Time on task
Prompt usage
Indicators of reading stamina
Text density, prompt frequency, and hint strength is adjusted based on:
Accuracy trends
Time on task
Prompt usage
Indicators of reading stamina
Embedded Scaffolding
Embedded Scaffolding
Prompts mimic a teacher’s voice, nudging students to reflect, re-read, or explain their thinking.
For instance, if a highlight is too vague, the game might ask, “What makes this detail important?”
AI powers these in-context nudges, smartly suggesting when to pause, predict, or reflect based on behavior patterns. Supports fade over time, helping students build metacognitive awareness and self-guided strategy use.
Prompts mimic a teacher’s voice, nudging students to reflect, re-read, or explain their thinking.
For instance, if a highlight is too vague, the game might ask, “What makes this detail important?”
AI powers these in-context nudges, smartly suggesting when to pause, predict, or reflect based on behavior patterns. Supports fade over time, helping students build metacognitive awareness and self-guided strategy use.
Smart Scoring
Smart Scoring
XP isn’t tied to speed or accuracy alone. Instead, it rewards strategy use, thoughtful reflection, and independence. Over time, students level up “powers” like prediction or summarization, making their growth visible and rewarding.
XP isn’t tied to speed or accuracy alone. Instead, it rewards strategy use, thoughtful reflection, and independence. Over time, students level up “powers” like prediction or summarization, making their growth visible and rewarding.
(Playtesting)
(Playtesting)
We put the game in front of the students it was built for, and they showed us it worked
We put the game in front of the students it was built for, and they showed us it worked
We conducted a final playtest of the prototype with eight middle schoolers at The Howard School. Their excitement was instant — the story, powers, and visuals pulled them in.
We conducted a final playtest of the prototype with eight middle schoolers at The Howard School. Their excitement was instant — the story, powers, and visuals pulled them in.
What We Tested
What We Tested
Could students navigate the reading panel without getting stuck?
Did they understand the goal of the missions and tools?
Could they recall what they read after using strategy tools?
How did they feel during and after playing?
Could students navigate the reading panel without getting stuck?
Did they understand the goal of the missions and tools?
Could they recall what they read after using strategy tools?
How did they feel during and after playing?
What We Observed
What We Observed
Story drives motivation
Story drives motivation
All students were hooked by the unfolding narrative and wanted to unlock new powers.
All students were hooked by the unfolding narrative and wanted to unlock new powers.
Gameplay felt intuitive
Gameplay felt intuitive
Highlighting and tool use matched their expectations, though some icons caused confusion.
Highlighting and tool use matched their expectations, though some icons caused confusion.
Students valued expression
Students valued expression
Character customization and comic building boosted engagement.
Character customization and comic building boosted engagement.
Strategies weren’t always obvious
Strategies weren’t always obvious
Some skipped instructions or didn’t realize they were practicing reading strategies.
Some skipped instructions or didn’t realize they were practicing reading strategies.
What We Improved
What We Improved
Replaced text-heavy guides with visual, interactive onboarding
Made reading strategies more explicit using “power cards” and skill toolboxes
Refined XP to reward strategy use and independence, not just speed
Simplified icons and added tooltips for clarity
Replaced text-heavy guides with visual, interactive onboarding
Made reading strategies more explicit using “power cards” and skill toolboxes
Refined XP to reward strategy use and independence, not just speed
Simplified icons and added tooltips for clarity
(Reflection)
(Reflection)
Engagement is the gateway to Comprehension
Engagement is the gateway to Comprehension
Designing for middle schoolers meant constantly balancing structure with freedom. Students craved creativity and story, while teachers needed strategy and skill-building. The breakthrough came when we stopped choosing between them, and designed for the overlap. What started as a classroom tool became something more: a world where comprehension feels like adventure, not homework.
Designing for middle schoolers meant constantly balancing structure with freedom. Students craved creativity and story, while teachers needed strategy and skill-building. The breakthrough came when we stopped choosing between them, and designed for the overlap. What started as a classroom tool became something more: a world where comprehension feels like adventure, not homework.
Future Steps
Future Steps
Next, we’re expanding the story arcs and mission types to increase replay value and engagement. On the teacher side, we’ll build a dashboard to assign readings, monitor strategy use, and track student growth. More testing is planned with diverse readers to fine-tune scaffolds and rewards. Our final step is preparing a handoff package for Discovery Education to support continued development.
Next, we’re expanding the story arcs and mission types to increase replay value and engagement. On the teacher side, we’ll build a dashboard to assign readings, monitor strategy use, and track student growth. More testing is planned with diverse readers to fine-tune scaffolds and rewards. Our final step is preparing a handoff package for Discovery Education to support continued development.