The Playful Learning SIG intends to share knowledge and interest of playful learning techniques. The landscape of Higher Education is rapidly shifting from knowledge-transfer to an emphasis on skills building and problem solving. Students now expect more immersive, engaging experiences to enrich their educational offer. Playful learning is a powerful way to enhance learning and teaching. Associated benefits include physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing. In contrast to high-stakes exercises or assessments in which students may focus on avoiding failure, play creates safe spaces for experimentation, contingency, and creativity.
This year, the SIG is co-lead by:
- Giskin Day (Principal Teaching Fellow - Faculty of Medicine Centre)
- Joana Dos- Santos (Teaching Fellow - Department of Surgery and Cancer)
- Mahsa Samadi (Teaching Fellow - Faculty of Medicine Centre)
What this SIG is for:
Facilitating Collaboration and Networking: We provide a platform for individuals across Imperial College to come together and share their work, ideas, and insights related to Playful Learning in education.
Exploring Best Practices: This SIG invites colleagues to consider how they can make their learning more interactive and playful with the intention of improving the student experience.
Meeting Schedule:
We convene once a term to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute. These meetings serve as a forum for lively discussions, presentations, demonstrations, and networking opportunities.
Communication Channels:
Our primary communication platform is Microsoft Teams. Here, you'll find updates on upcoming events (General Channel).
If you would like to join a SIG, fill out the form here to be added to the mailing list. You will then be informed about future activities.
Meeting History
Agenda
- PL SIG invitations to provide activities for FONS Neurodiversity Week and Mental Health Awareness week.
- Linda van Keimpema: Games for societal engagement developed for the Sickle Cell Warrior project.
- Katia Spivakovsky Gonzalez: game for budgeting for resources in biomedical science LabPod2.
- Stay-and-play board and card games.
Summary
The well-attended March Playful Learning SIG meeting included two presenters. Linda von Keimpema told us about (1) a board game that explains the genetic basis of sickle-cell disease, (2) a card game, developed as part of an outreach pack, educating players about factors that contribute to sickle-cell crisis. Katia Sipakovsky Gonzalez introduced us to a game she is developing inspired by Settlers of Catan, where students must gain the resources they need to carry out a Western blot and a functional assay. A lively discussion ensued about collaboration vs competition and how this might affect group dynamics.
Slides are available on the Playful Learning SIG Teams site.
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