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Play
Play
Play!
Over the course of the 20th century, research brought to light what now seems obvious: that playing is how children learn first and best about the world and their lives in it. But in our culture, adults usually are not supposed to be seen to play. Does this mean that we're sacrificing a source of learning possibility? Is there a place for play as learning in higher education?
Our two guests this week say, yes!
Stan Frost directs our Mechatronics program in the School of AMST and he is adamant that the time students spend "playing" deliberately on the training machines is the most fruitful learning time of his classes. And Ilene Fins, our Theater professor, literally teaches the art of (the) play.
Both will talk about how they work to create a classroom environment that allows and encourages play and what it offers students for learning and growth.
Listen to Episode 5
Listen to Episode 5
Stream the episode here or listen through the Apple Podcast or Spotify apps.
Two Studies on Play in Higher Education
In higher education, play isn't quite as radical as it may seem. Here are two studies about the experience and effect of play in a our kind of setting, which might suggest some ways you could explore, or continue to explore, using play in your classes.
"The Process of Play in Learning in HIgher Education"
"The Process of Play in Learning in HIgher Education"
This is a study of play of in higher education from The Journal of Teaching and Learning. Have a look at its findings about what play makes possible n the classroom and how it can be best used in our context.
"Giving Permission to Play in Higher Education"
"Giving Permission to Play in Higher Education"
This paper, from the 4th International Conference on Teaching Advances, strikes right at the heart of the impermissibility of play in higher education and works to counteract that resistance.
Three Activities for Playful Learning
Here are three activities that Ilene uses in her classes that depend upon a spirit of play and also have profound benefit to building a learning community.
Brain-Breath Connection
Brain-Breath Connection
This activity helps students center themselves and then connect with each other cooperatively and learn each other's names.
Judgement Box
Judgement Box
This activity allows students to set aside their own judgements on themselves and others before trying something new.
Reflecting on Play
Reflecting on Play
This is a reflection with guided questions to use after a playful activity, which might have felt risky at the beginning.
Creating a Brave Space
Creating a Brave Space
In Ilene's teaching philosophy, she states that she strives to make her classes a "brave playground" for the work of learning Theater. In our conversation, she unpacked the word "brave" as an evolution of a "safe space." Here's some further information about brave spaces that you could follow in your own classroom communities: The Six Pillars of a Brave Space.
What is Mechatronics?
What is Mechatronics?
Mechatronics is a newer term that many people aren't familiar with. Often students who come to MTC aren't quite sure what it is, either! Watch this short video to get a more vivid sense of what Stan is teaching and the kinds of careers our students can begin with this course of study.
MTC Digital Theater Plus Access
MTC Digital Theater Plus Access
As MTC students, faculty or staff, you can log into our Library system and watch thousands of high quality theater performAnces through Digital Theater Plus. Log in and explore an incredible array of plays.
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