Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byFranklin Skinner Modified over 6 years ago
1
Play matters: exploring the pedagogic value of games and simulations
Professor Nicola Whitton Manchester Metropolitan University
2
Five notable things that I’ve failed
Primary 5 junior mastermind My driving test First year university exams Keeping control of a moped Funding proposals and article submissions, regularly, too numerous to count
3
Why are games and simulations good for learning?
Action Play Motivation
4
Games are active learning environments
Collaboration Problem-solving Authentic goals
6
Games are motivating and engaging
Goals Competition Mystery Progress Challenges Rewards (Schell, 2008, based on Csikszentmihalyi, 1992)
7
Images copyright Peter Whitton
8
Games create magic circles of play
9
Magic circles support learning
Resilience Risk-taking Innovation Imagination Exploration Creativity Self-direction Experimentation Discovery Risk-taking -> resilience Imagination -> creativity Exploration -> discovery
10
Surface (game) structures Ease of entry and explicit progression
playful learning in higher education Signature pedagogy for Surface (game) structures Ease of entry and explicit progression Appropriate and flexible levels of challenge Engaging game mechanics Physical or digital artefacts Deep (play) structures Active and physical engagement Collaboration with diverse others Imagining possibilities Novelty and surprise Implicit (playful) structures Lusory attitude Democratic values and openness Acceptance of risk-taking and failure Intrinsic motivation Surface (game) structures Ease of entry and explicit progression Appropriate and flexible levels of challenge Engaging game mechanics Physical or digital artefacts Deep (play) structures Active and physical engagement Collaboration with diverse others Imagining possibilities Novelty and surprise Implicit (playful) structures Lusory attitude Democratic values and openness Acceptance of risk-taking and failure Intrinsic motivation Signature pedagogy exemplifies a way of teaching – either in a discipline or in relation to a philosophy Nørgård, Toft-Nielsen & Whitton (2017)
11
What is playful pedagogy?
Tools Games Toys Stories Tasks Mysteries Puzzles Quests Tactics Humour Surprises Make-believe
12
Example – book club
15
It’s not all fun and games…
Language of play Play in adulthood Play is a privilege
16
Thank you for listening
@nicwhitton
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.