Play and Learning in Adulthood : Reimagining Pedagogy and the Politics of Education

This book provides a theoretical and philosophical examination of games, play and playfulness and their relationships to learning and wellbeing in adulthood. It draws on an interdisciplinary literature base (including game-based learning, game studies, education, psychology, and game design) to present a critical manifesto for playful learning in post-compulsory education and lifelong learning. While there is an established body of work in games and learning in adulthood, and a wide literature on the value of play in childhood, the wider potential of play in adulthood and playfulness is under-explored and still emergent. This book offers a comprehensive overview of play in adulthood, exploring the benefits and drawbacks, examining why play in adulthood is different from play in childhood, the role of play in culture, and making an argument for why it is important in our society that we embrace the principles of playfulness. Acknowledgments Contents List of Figures List of Tables Introducing Adult Play The Importance of Play My Perspectives on Play Wider Perspectives on Play Play and Child Development The Biology of Play The Psychology of Playfulness Play and Culture Game Studies Play and Learning How to Read This Book Conclusion References Games, Play, and Playfulness The Landscape of Play Games Playfulness Play Play and the Magic Circle Different Possibilities of Play Conclusion References Play in Post-Compulsory Education Fifty Years of Play and Learning in Adulthood Exploring the Literature on Play and Learning in Adult Education A Brief History of Play and Learning in Adulthood Role Play Simulation Games Traditional Play: Game-Based Learning Digital Play: Serious Games and Digital Game-Based Learning Game Making Gamification Post-Digital Play Conclusion References A Manifesto for Playful Learning What Is Playful Learning? Games and Learning The Magic Circle of Playful Learning Playful Learning as Tools, Tactics, and Techniques Playful Learning as a Signature Pedagogy The Role of Assessment in Playful Learning Playful Universities Conclusion References The Playful Educator Benefits of Playfulness Deconstructing Playfulness Measuring Playfulness Teacher Playfulness Playfulness in the Population Sample Baselines Playfulness and Demographic Characteristics Playful Profiles Playfulness and Pedagogy Conclusion Development and Validation of a Playfulness Scale References A Critical Exploration of Play Permission to Play Decolonising Play Play Is a Feminist Issue Play, Inclusivity, and Social Justice Designing Inclusively Problematic Play Negative Discourses of Play The Myth of the Games Generation Moral Panics The Language of Play Conclusion References Play for a Better World Learning to Fail Play Is Critical Higher Education Is Not Designed for Play Conclusion Index