Blog Archive

A Playvolution…Are You In?

A Playvolution...Are You In? by Lisa Forbes I look at the picture of students listening to a lecture and I think: This is education? Why do we continue to drone on and on at students like this? Where’s the joy? Where’s the fun? Where’s the excitement? I’m sure you...

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The Watchmaker of Lilles

The Watchmaker of Lilles The foundation of unlocking play in teaching starts with having a playful soul. It's not enough to deploy techniques, to gamifiy your course or dress up in costumes if you don't start with a playful pose. It's common sense. But we often miss...

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ISO Student Engagement

Are you In Search Of student engagement? The Educause Exchange Podcast proposed that topic to a number of higher education leaders and Professors at Play Lisa and David. Listent to thie 11 minute discussion of how to encouarge student engagement, and what playful...

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#WePlayChat

by David Thomas Lisa and I had a chance to particiapte in a Twitter chat hosted by the US Play Coaltion. You can enjoy the results here: If you missed the latest #WePlayChat on #Play & Fun in #highered with @PlayProfessors you can follow the whole thread and still...

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Precursors to a Playful Pedagogy

by Lisa Forbes Fred Hanna was a faculty member who trained me in my masters and doctoral work. This man was playful in his own way. He had a self-deprecating humor and never took himself too seriously. One time, I accidentally dropped some popcorn on the floor in the...

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Gameful Learning

Whether you call it "gamification", game-based learning or something else, there's an attraction to using playful pedogogies. University of Michigan calls it "gameful learning" and in this video Dr. Mika LaVaque-Mant, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor & Director of the...

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Decolonizing Higher Ed

Did you miss "Who Makes The Rules? Who is Getting Played? Games, Play and Decolonising Ed" by Luca Moroni? Good news! We have the recording so you can dig into this fanstastic presentation on this important topic. Also, you can access Luca's interactive slides...

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The Future is Fun

by David Thomas What is holding you back from playing? In our experience, lots of professors want to play. But many don't because they are held back by their fears. During the 2021 Shaping EDU conference, Lisa and I explored the things that hold us back from...

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A 2020 Reflection

Here’s to Hoping 2020 Leaves a Playful Residue by Lisa Forbes “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was...

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Wholehearted People Play

Vulnerability and Play by Lisa Forbes  What does vulnerability have to do with play? Well, lots. Let me explain. In this post - it’s twofold.   The First Fold Brene Brown’s work on vulnerability and shame have a loads of value for education. Both teaching and...

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