Zoo U

In Zoo U, students will play as a zookeeper-in-training at a school with other zookeepers (as well as some animals). The game's focus is on navigating social situations in six core areas: impulse control, empathy, initiation, communication, cooperation, and emotion regulation. Afterward the player will be given a personalized assessment in both initial social prowess and improvement in these areas.

It's important to note that social skills are a complex interaction between two people, and at some points Zoo U might assess a choice based on a misunderstanding between what the player intended and what the limits of the game's mechanics. While the main intent is to help learners think about social situations and develop skills to navigate these situations, some kids might be upset about "failing" some situations. Even adult players will rarely get every response right.

• Do you think these situations mirror situations in your own life? Are the skills you learned here always applicable to every situation?
• What do you think might happen if two people in real life who both had trouble with these types of situations met one another? How might you use what you've learned to talk to them?