In the past year I have taken a keener interest in applying active learning strategies and what is also commonly referred to as Purposeful Play or Gamification. The video below was my trial at combining an AI chat question with AI Video…the result for someone with no experience in creating videos was a real eye-opener.
There are several other tools that promote active learning and which are pretty straightforward to use:
- Mentimeter
I was very fortunate to have had the guidance of Dr. Martin Compton who was a colleague in UCL Arena when he first introduced me to Mentimeter. There are many benefits to using Mentimeter as outlined in the video below:
Mentimeter has lots of features which are fantastic for student engagement. Below is a link to 70 fun ice breaker activities.
One of the activities that students really enjoy at the start of a class is the one below entitled ‘Where are you from?’ – they get to put a pin on the map in relation to the country that they feel best answers the question (this is all about self-identification).
Here are some more templates.
- Padlet
I created a padlet to act as a resource for a workshop on Active Learning and you may find some of the ideas useful. Please note that Padlet is not accessible to all which is why I stopped using it as a tool in workshops – it goes against the principles of Universal Design for Learning. It is however, a good board to organise your own materials.
- LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology
In the autumn of 2023 I attended a 4-day workshop to become a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology facilitator. I was blown away by the power of this tool which involves 4 main drivers: Construction, Metaphors, Story Making/Telling as well as Imagination. In the new year I will be offering team-building workshops using Lego®.
The Origins of The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Methodology
The methodology is built upon a process which stems from the heart of LEGO elements and the LEGO building system. Looking for a tool to unlock imagination and innovation within the company, the LEGO Group realized that a solution might be found in the LEGO System in Play itself: Just as the LEGO Group had been inspiring children to ‘build their dreams’ for decades, so perhaps adults could be asked to build their visions for future strategy.
The idea of the methodology originated in 1996 when two professors at IMD in Switzerland and The LEGO Group owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen were exploring alternative strategic planning tools and systems. They developed an understanding of the value of employees and the concept of an evolving, adaptive strategy that included using LEGO elements as three-dimensional models of business issues and challenges. The strategy was named LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
- Other Tactile Pedagogies
There is an increasing interest in tactile or sensory pedagogies and this includes activities such as:
– Play Doh
– Tangrams
– Scratch Cards
– Origami
Read more in this report on Innovating Pedagogies