Design Playshop: Making Spaces for Expansive Learning Through Play, Collaboration, and Playdough "Squishy Circuits"

• In Event: 33.024 - Facilitating Learning Through Games and Play

Abstract

This qualitative study documents the development of a curricular model for play-based learning, Design Playshop, and compares 1) children’s sustained engagement and successful completion of playdough electronic circuitry tasks, 2) their elaboration of aesthetic designs in crafted artifacts, and 3) their diverse ways of participating with electronic and crafting materials. Mediated discourse analysis of focal cases guided adjustments to the model that enabled children to integrate interdisciplinary practices through different orientations to the project. Children who integrated play, collaboration, crafting, and circuitry practices participated more often, for longer periods, created a greater number and more complex projects. Findings suggest that Design Playshop offered expanded approaches to learning that varied according to children’s diverse strengths and preferences which encouraged broad participation.

Authors

• Karen E. Wohlwend, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Kylie A. Peppler, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Anna Keune, Indiana University - Bloomington