Hello everybody,
"Play is nature's greatest tool for creating new neural networks and for reconciling cognitive difficulties. The abilities to make new patterns, find the unusual among the common, and spark curiosity and alert observation are all fostered by being in a state of play. When we play, dilemmas and challenges will naturally filter through the unconscious mind and work themselves out. It is not at all uncommon for people to come back not only energized, but also with fresh ideas for work." (Brown, 2009, 128)
and... there are health benefits too ;)
Wishing you all a good day,
Chrissi, playful experimenter from sunny Manchester
@chrissinerantzi
________________________________________
From: learning development in higher education network [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Rachel Stead [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 May 2016 13:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Lego in Teaching - 6th June 2016
We are currently using Lego for reflection purposes amongst students on Personal Development courses, amongst staff on team projects and also for planning purposes for upcoming team objectives.
I have also been using Playdoh for a few years to explore difficult concepts in subjects such as Nursing.
I do not believe that this represents infantilisation in the context that it was meant. However, if that term was used to mean 'playing' in a derogatory way, I think it's important to remember the key contribution play makes to learning and research and so in that respect 'play' should never be underestimated and used to mean infantile. And if it is, then I'm all for the infantile!!!
Whilst I think it's true to say that these methods may not be for everyone, I have to date only met with one student who completely objected to what we were doing and rubbished it as a way of thinking and learning. Amongst others who were unsure as to its benefits, a few things were unanimous and they were that it was seen to be stress free, therapeutic and enjoyable - surely these are all really positive environments for learning to take place?
Just my thoughts
Rachel Stead BA(Hons) MA AppL FHEA
Student Learning Adviser
SPLASH
3rd Floor Library
University of Surrey
GU27XH
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/library/learning/index.htm
Tel: 01483 683355
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Libby Tilley
Sent: 12 May 2016 13:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Lego in Teaching - 6th June 2016
It's been an extremely useful tool in team skills development courses that I have attended and I would advocate for its use.
Best wishes
Libby
On 12/05/2016 12:59, Zoe Jones (DOS) wrote:
> Yes, I would also echo the sentiments expressed so far in favour of
> using Lego (or other means of building 3D models- sticklebricks work
> well too!) with students in Higher Education. I often use this method
> to help students to think about the structure or “shape” of a piece of
> writing, or to explain and clarify their line of reasoning or thinking
> about a topic they are tackling. Interestingly, in my experience the
> more complex the topic, the more successful the technique seems to be.
> In particular, postgraduate researchers seem to find it a useful way
> of unpacking their research topic or overcome obstacles in their
> thesis writing.
>
> Zoe
>
> **
>
> *Zoe Jones *|*Learning Enhancement Tutor in the Dean of Students’
> Office
> (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday)*
>
> Dean of Students’ Office | University of East Anglia | Norwich
> Research Park | Norwich NR4 7TJ
>
> +44 (0)1603 591312| [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>_
>
> cid:image001.png@01D09851.EF67E200
>
> **
>
> *UK Top 20*(The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016)
>
> *UK Top 5 for Student Experience*(National Student Survey, 2005-2015)
>
> *World Top 1%*(Times Higher Education World Rankings 2015-16)
>
> *World Top 100 for research excellence*(Leiden Ranking 2015)
>
> facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ueaofficial>twitter-old
> <http://www.twitter.com/uniofeastanglia>tumblr
> <http://uniofeastanglia.tumblr.com/>flickr
> <http://www.flickr.com/uniofeastanglia>linkedin
> <http://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=12699>youtube
> <http://www.youtube.com/ueaofficial>cid:image008.png@01CF8BB5.50024060
> <http://instagram.com/uniofeastanglia>
>
> This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the
> intended recipient please accept my apologies; please do not disclose,
> copy or distribute information in this email or take any action in
> reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be
> unlawful. Please inform me that this message has gone astray before
> deleting it. Thank you for your co-operation.
>
> *From:*learning development in higher education network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Claire Jones
> *Sent:* 12 May 2016 12:52
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: Lego in Teaching - 6th June 2016
>
> hi everyone
>
> I too fundamentally disagree with the suggestion that this represents
> some kind of dumbing down of HE. We use lego to teach the balancing of
> performance objectives in operations mgt to my first years. They find
> it very engaging and it enables them to truly understand the
> application of theory, as well as leading to some fantastic discussions.
>
> Claire Jones
>
> On 12 May 2016 at 12:39, Alison James <[log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>
> That’s a shame to hear Alistair – I have found it to be extremely
> effective, as I explain here
>
> https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/innovating-creative-arts-lego
>
> There are lots of people in our sector who are also having rewarding
> experiences, not just with LEGO but with other materials, to explore
> deep and complex issues in a way that is entirely appropriate for
> advanced level study. In a recent call for contributions for our
> collection on play in Higher Education Chrissi Nerantzi and I
> received nigh on 50 high quality offers which ranged from highly
> theorised papers and chapters from esteemed professors to vignettes
> of innovation from those new to teaching and learning support.
>
> Each to his own I guess.
>
> All best
>
> Alison
>
> Dr Alison James
>
> Associate Dean Learning & Teaching
>
> London College of Fashion
>
> National Teaching Fellow 2014
>
> Principal Fellow Higher Education Academy
>
> 20 John Princes St
>
> London
>
> W1G 0BJ
>
> @alisonrjames
>
> http://www.engagingimagination.com
> <http://www.engagingimagination.com/>
>
> *From:*learning development in higher education network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>] *On
> Behalf Of *Alistair McCulloch
> *Sent:* 12 May 2016 12:23
> *To:* [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> *Subject:* Re: Lego in Teaching - 6th June 2016
>
> I’ve experienced a workshop which involved using Lego to build
> models of concepts and came away regarding it as another example of
> the infantilisation of higher education. Seriously. J
>
> Cheers
>
> Alistair
>
> *From:*learning development in higher education network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Menown, Chloe
> *Sent:* Thursday, 12 May 2016 6:33 PM
> *To:* [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> *Subject:* Lego in Teaching - 6th June 2016
>
> **
>
> Interested in teaching and learning? Or just really enjoy Lego?
>
> **
>
> *
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *
>
> **
>
> *ARLG Eastern brings you “Lego in Teaching” with Andy Walsh*
>
> In this full day workshop, Andy Walsh will be running his (now
> famous) workshop on using Lego as a valuable teaching tool in
> library lessons.
>
> We will introduce briefly the concept of Lego® Serious Play® and
> carry out some exercises using these principles.
>
> Attendees will have the chance to take part in an activity inspired
> by Serious Play® before going onto creating their own ideas based
> upon the methods discussed. We will then use the materials to solve
> problems as a group, and go onto building models that can be used
> for evaluation at the beginning or the end of a teaching session.
>
> By the end of the day, attendees should have an appreciation of how
> model making, particularly with Lego, can be used in teaching, and
> have planned a specific teaching intervention to apply in their own
> work situation.
>
> **
>
> *Venue*
>
> Faculty of English, Cambridge University, Cambridge
>
> *Terms & Conditions*
>
> Bookings close: 30th May
>
> ARLG member or CILIP members - £75 +VAT
>
> Non CILIP members - £100 +VAT
>
> Please note there will only be 25 places available for this course
> so early booking is advised.
>
> *Contact details*
>
> For further details please contact Chloe Menown, Secretary
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> or view the
> ARLG Eastern events webpage:
>
> http://www.cilip.org.uk/academic-research-libraries-group/events/lego-
> teaching
>
>
> *Chloe Menown**BA(Hons) MSc AFHEA MCLIP*
>
> *ARLG Eastern secretary *
>
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> --
> http://www.anglia.ac.uk/email-disclaimer
>
> This email and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee
> and may contain confidential information. If you are not the
> intended recipient of this email and/or its attachments you must not
> take any action based upon them and you must not copy or show them
> to anyone. Please send the email back to us and immediately and
> permanently delete it and its attachments. Where this email is
> unrelated to the business of University of the Arts London or of any
> of its group companies the opinions expressed in it are the opinions
> of the sender and do not necessarily constitute those of University
> of the Arts London (or the relevant group company). Where the
> sender's signature indicates that the email is sent on behalf of
> London Artscom Limited the following also applies: London Artscom
> Limited is a company registered in England and Wales under company
> number 02361261. Registered Office: University of the Arts London,
> 272 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EY
>
>
>
> --
>
> Claire Jones,
>
> Business Management Subject Co-ordinator, Academic Conduct Officer,
> Brookes Teaching Fellow
>
> N417, Faculty of Business, Wheatley campus
>
> Image removed by sender.
>
> /If you have received this email in error, you must treat the
> information in it (and in any attachment) as strictly CONFIDENTIAL and
> should delete it immediately. Oxford Brookes University is not
> responsible for any personal opinion expressed in this email/
>
--
Elizabeth Tilley MA, MCLIP, FHEA
Librarian
Faculty of English
University of Cambridge
9 West Road
Cambridge
CB3 9DP
Direct line: 01223 767296
http://lib.english.cam.ac.uk/
"Before acting on this email or opening any attachments you should read the Manchester Metropolitan University email disclaimer available on its website http://www.mmu.ac.uk/emaildisclaimer "
|