One trend in adult education I find fascinating is adult learners joining fun-based learning and play that is embedded into a lecture style setting. Playing is making an comeback in the adult classroom and according to Michael Forman’s sit (https://wanderlust.com/journal/the-importance-of-play-in-adulthood/) Explains, play for adults is essential to help compensate for the hustle and bustle of the day. “Play has been shown to release endorphins, improve brain functionality, and stimulate creativity.” The blog, highlights that play in adults helps us to remain youthful become more charged with energy. As well as, improved brain function and memory.
In my workshops, we add in a ‘warm up’ activity into the course work and use ‘adult play’ to increase group engagement, networking, and to encourage personal testimonies. It helps lighten the atmosphere by damping down the awkwardness often in the room. Still for me, the key motivation to do this is very simple, it is fun and so freeing!
My favourite game is asking our participants to line up according to the order of their birthdays from January to December. They sort out who goes first, second, third and so forth. When everyone is done, they share their birthday’s month and day. This is an excellent way to learn about individuality and to demonstrate collaboration as a whole.
I love to play and my dream is for more teaching professionals to willingly incorporate space for play to enhance experiences for our adult learners in such a exhilarating way.
Forman, M, (n.d).Wanderlust:The importance of play in adulthood.Retrieved from: https://wanderlust.com/journal/the-importance-of-play-in-adulthood/
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