Professors at Play PlayBook: Real-world techniques from a more playful higher education classroom

by Lisa Forbes (Editor), David Thomas (Editor)

When you do a Google search with keywords “play in learning,” overwhelmingly you find play being utilized in childhood education. This lack of attention to play in higher education reflects the societal narrative that says, “play is for kids, not adults.” When play is associated with childhood or seen as trivial or a waste of time, utilizing play in “serious” adult learning can seem radical, scary, or reckless at most. The Professors at Play PlayBook challenges the idea that play is only for kids and presents a case for play and its value of play in adult learning. The PlayBook describes how the use of a playful pedagogy can reduce students’ barriers to learning, create connections, and awaken students’ interest and engagement in learning leading to deeper learning. The PlayBook tells an alternative story about play giving the reader permission to explore the possibility of a playful pedagogy in their teaching.

268 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2022

Reviews

[Malorie Albee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, many pedagogy books stay in the theoretical space and neglect to provide actionable strategies for implementing those theories in the classroom. This book, on the contrary, provided SO MANY strategies for implementing play in the classroom! I really appreciated this and it got the creative wheels in my head turning for how I might incorporate some of these ideas in my courses in the fall. I have already started designing some new activities!

[Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for work gave me lots of ideas