This week I’m presenting with Unruly Splats at the Computer Science Teachers Association Conference on a topic that is near and dear to my heart: coding! Actually the presentation is about play in the classroom with Splats, but I found myself thinking of all of the many ways educators can use games and play to increase student engagement and make learning fun!
When we think about play in the classroom, our minds may oftentimes go towards early childhood classrooms where students explore through centers with dramatic play using costumes and child-sized versions of kitchens and homes. But in her article “Playtime Isn’t Just for Preschoolers—Teenagers Need It, Too,” Hilary Conklin explains how older students need play, as well. She explains:
Giving students occasions to learn through play not only fosters creative thinking, problem solving, independence, and perseverance, but also addresses teenagers’ developmental needs for greater independence and ownership in their learning, opportunities for physical activity and creative expression, and the ability to demonstrate competence.
