Playful Participatory Research in Action: Collaboratively Developing a School's Early Childhood Makerspace

• In Event: Ethnographic and Participatory Approaches for Understating Multiple Facets of Educational Practice

Abstract

Playful Participatory Research is an emerging qualitative methodology in which educational stakeholders playfully co-construct knowledge through experimentation, exploration, and collaborative and hands-on data analysis (XX et al., 2016). This paper uses a case study example to explore how a study group of early childhood teacher-researchers in Denmark used playful participatory research to design and build a makerspace for young children. Data sources included teacher documentation, transcripts of study group discussions, and classroom observation notes. Findings revealed both positive outcomes, such as teacher fulfillment and enhanced sense of community as a result of the playful participatory process, as well as several challenges to implementing a playful approach to research. Implications for future playful participatory research are discussed.

Authors

• Megina Baker, Boston University

• Amanda Strawhacker, Tufts University

• Gabriela Salas Davila, International School of Billund