Designing Playscapes: Using the power of play for learning and exploration

Group Submission Type: Pre-conference Workshop

Description of Session

Purpose

This participatory and interactive workshop will invite participants to design environment(s) (both indoors and outdoors) that promote learning and exploration through play for children / teens. The focus will be on distilling the critical developmental learning outcomes and exploring how the physical environment and design influence learners' behavior and engagement.

The workshop draws on our experience, as educators, of planning and implementing the design of a natural playscape in Tanzania as part of the ‘Playing to Learn’ project. A central focus of the workshop will be on sharing strategies and insights related to asset-based perspectives and integrating the cultural aspects of the community for which the playscape is being designed. Please note that the workshop will focus on the educational and broad design considerations, not the technical aspects of the construction process.

Intended Audience and Learning Objectives

If you are an educator, parent, researcher, international development practitioner, or community leader interested in exploring the potential of informal learning spaces (indoor or outdoors), this workshop will:-

Help you know the relevant research and best practices around designing a playscape
Revisit your understanding of play and learning.
Articulate your goals for the playscape and identify your constraints
Invite you to brainstorm ideas and draw 2D layouts with your group members corresponding to the goals and constraints.
Provide you with some design consideration prompts and examples for designing the playscape.
Discuss ideas and formulate an action plan about co-designing playscapes in participation with other stakeholders, including children.

Delivery Plan

Introduction of participant and formation of groups - 15 mins
Revisiting our understanding of play, learning, development, and role of design- 30 mins
6 design sprints of 10 minutes (5 minutes of group sharing + 5 mins design) each - 60 min
BREAK -5 mins
Sketching the group's ideas and creating a draft design - 30 mins
Sharing the design with other groups and quick feedback - 20 mins
Planning the next steps - getting started with an action plan (individual/group)- 15 mins
Feedback from participants - 5 mins

Sub Unit

• Pre-Conference Workshops, Book launches, and Visual Art Exhibits / Pre-Conference Workshop

Workshop Organizer

• Bethany Wilinski, Michigan State University

Presenter

• Amit Sharma, Michigan State University