Dialogue Lab: The Game of Dialogic Communication Ethics

The educational game “Dialogue Lab” aims to support players in recognising ethical choices in everyday communication situations, becoming more aware of their communicative competencies, and better imagining others’ needs in interaction. The board game version also seeks to initiate and support interpersonal discussion about what to notice in the narratives. Such dialogue facilitates in-depth situational analysis, as listening to others helps reveal details one might otherwise overlook. It also fosters understanding of how different individuals justify their choices.

Communication is like air: everyone uses it, yet it is noticed only when effective communication is absent and conflicts arise. Once conflict is already present, discussing communication itself often becomes difficult. How does one tell a supervisor that they did not listen, and that this has diminished one’s willingness to cooperate? Perhaps they no longer remember the interaction or the remarks that caused distress, or the meeting where they misinterpreted your words.

The game’s narratives are structured for four target groups: journalists and communication professionals; employees of various organisations; higher education staff and university students; and general education school staff and students.