Why Can’t We Play?: A Collaborative Autoethnography of Incorporating Playfulness into Pedagogical Practices

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Creative Curriculum & Playful Pedagogies

Abstract

Extending prior research on poetry and play in our qualitative inquiries, we employ collaborative autoethnography to reflect on how we begin integrating serious play into teaching pre-service and in-service teachers. We start by noticing student resistance to playfulness and exploring its pedagogical potential. We then take up the concept of serious play, detailing how we enact it across educational contexts. Finally, we share contemplative vignettes that illustrate the artful ways we are infusing serious play into teacher preparation, showing how play can be both joyful and transformative in shaping critical, reflective, and creative educators.

Authors

• Shannon Perry, Valdosta State University

• Yixuan Wang, Gwinnett County Public Schools