On the 19th and 20th May 2022, the Playful Learning Association held it’s first in person event for some years! 26 of us got together to spend some time thinking about playful spaces, hosted at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge by our co-chairs Alex and Katie. Here is a record of the event through photos!
We kicked off with a game of Herd Mentality as an ice-breaker. Making the most of some outdoor spaces we discovered on campus.
Then we were talked through the process of creating a prototype for a Climate change boardgame by Matteo Menapace @baddeo
Matteo has created the game Daybreak, a cooperative game about climate action.
(Look out for the Daybreak Kickstarter, which launches next month!)
Three visiting PhD students from Denmark (Kim, Tina and Vici) then introduced the topic of Playlabs, looking first at the theory and then the opportunity for us all to put it into practice.
Playlabs are designed to support active and experimental processes.
The discussion was around finding a balance between transforming your teaching to fit the new space and reproduction of your familiar way of teaching – with students sitting down and watching you present at the front.
We ended Thursday by heading to the Thrive vegan cafe for Games and cakes
Friday began with everyone heading into Cambridge to think about Playing Outside through a Secret Portals group activity.
We used a map to find Dinky Doors and then the challenge was to create our own door from found materials.
Discussion followed on how to use the town/city you are based in as an induction activity for students.
Before we said our goodbyes, as always, we had an open slot for PLA members to offer/test/share their current work.
Thank you to all the presenters and attendees for coming along and creating such a great event.
Want more? Missed out this time? Our next in-person event will be November 17th and 18th in the north of England (theme and venue tbc). Save the dates!
