PD - Play Based Learning - Carolyn Dodd - 18/09

PD - Play Based Learning - Carolyn Dodd - 18/09

WHAT

Play defined:

• self chosen and self directed
• Process rather than product
• Contains structures or rules decided by the players themselves
• Imaginative and non-literal and removed from reality
• Occurs between those who are active, alert and non-stressed.

The curriculum encourages play based learning through the key competencies. 

Role of the teacher is to be involved with students play. If we are not looking for opportunities to question, prompt discussion or challenge, then play based learning losses its effectiveness.

Teacher needs to know the curriculum so that they know where to come in with questions and challenges. 

Sometimes the teacher will need to plant seeds or provide opportunities for students to explore.

SO WHAT

How does play look in a year 5/6 classroom? Is play based a learning an effective approach in the senior school? My answer is that they key competencies are important and play based learning creates a genuine and authentic way to develop their key competencies. I have noticed that when students have been given freedom to choose and can direct their own learning this has had a huge impact on student engagement. I am grappling at the moment with fitting in learning around this to cover the curriculum in its fullest and this is a challenge I will continue to try and find a solution for.