Type Token: a competitive, collaborative modeling game for ontology education and development

Ontologies are adopted in, and for information systems, Artificial Intelligence, software engineering, and a range of knowledge engineering and data integration practices. However, the concept of ontology can be challenging to grasp, foundational and domain ontologies can be difficult to learn, develop, and (re)use, while dedicated methods for engaging domain experts and non-scientific stakeholders with ontologies are limited. This paper addresses these issues with the introduction of an easy-to-learn ontology game called Type Token, a multiplayer analog card game based on the Unified Foundational Ontology (UFO), which offers a fun and appealing way to learn basic ontology theories. Through a competitive, collaborative modeling activity and the scaffolding of increasingly complex ontological notions in gameplay, the game represents a tool for groups to engage in active learning with ontologies. Feedback from initial playtesting at various informal and formal events suggests that game-based group learning is a promising addition to ontology education materials and that discussion and engagement fostered through game and play can activate and reinforce ontological thinking. Ongoing development initiated by the design and implementation of Type Token has also uncovered ways to enact collaborative ontology development through dialogue and rule-based interactions, a future direction in the evolution of ontology education.