When we think of education, we think of children. We think of these children starting in kindergarten, pre-kindergarten even, and growing through the grades until they graduate high school. In some cases, these children continue their "education" in college and tech school. This is what we think of education. However, maybe our minds needs to shift to thinking: what happens at the schools and in each classroom that shapes the "education" that our children grow through. As of right now, the majority of the schools follow a very strict, "teach to the test" policy. Students in public and private schools are taught to focus on getting a good grade as opposed to learning something. By simply trying to get a letter grade, the student lose out on potential learning experiences in the form of hacking, making, and playing. I want to focus on making and playing primarily. In the early days of my education, in kindergarten, I remember spending most of my days buidling with legos and buidling blocks. I had no sense of getting a good grade, doing a good job in front of the teacher, or trying to impress authority to make sure I passed the class. Instead, I was "Making" something. I was creating a magic kingdom where all the people of the land came to see the king. I was creating my future house, with a pool in the backyard and a trampline next to it! My imagination was running at such a level that every new creation I made sparked a new interest. I loved making projects in school at this time. It not only helped me in the categories of imagination and interests, but it taught me manners and how to play well with others, all without the structure of an actual classroom. lego.com As far as playing goes, playing is what most everybody wants to do! So it just makes sense to incorporate playing into our education and our work environments. A few years back, I was working at the restaurant Chilis. At times, the company would set up initiatives for servers to reach to earn a free meal, gift certificate, etc. It seemed that every time the company would do this, work became more fun for all the employees. They saw it as a competition and a game, and certain team members worked together to reach the goals. This form of playing, or teamwork to reach a type of goal, is beneficial in any work or education environment. Playing gives people a sense of purpose and a reason to put forth effort if they lack that reason in the first place. It is important to have good team participation while "playing" in the work environment. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kYjqtLCNqSA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> embedded video Overall, hacking, making, and playing our education can be very helpful. Instead of focusing on getting a grade or teaching for test scores, incoporating fun, alternative ways to share knowledge can benefit young people in the education system and older people in the work force. It can be very powerful. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-power-of-play-at-work_b_12011462
12 Comments
2/9/2020 08:57:40 pm
I agree that testing has put a damper on the potential that child can learn. This makes it difficult as they become adults and are told to problem solve. All their lives they have been told to regurgitate information without thinking much for themselves.
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Brent Barge
2/15/2020 03:30:19 pm
I like the word you used: regurgitate. Regurgitating information is what "learning" has become to pass tests and get the grades.
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2/9/2020 09:17:37 pm
I like that you mentioned how everyone enjoys playing! If we enjoy what we are doing, then we are going to be more successful and get more out of that experience. Why not incorporate more play into the work environment?!
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Brent
2/15/2020 03:33:02 pm
I think people in the work force choose to answer your question by saying: "I just want to do my work and get out of here" or "I'm just here for the paycheck." They do not want to play at work because they have no interest, when having a game could in fact spark their interest for work.
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Zoey Keller
2/10/2020 09:48:45 am
Teaching to the test is a HUGE problem that we see in almost every school today. Teachers have so much on their plates that they don't have time to even think about changing their whole schedule around just for the sake of creativity. I think that creativity does need to be more important and more of a focus. Great piece!
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Brent Barge
2/15/2020 03:34:40 pm
You are right that teachers have so much on their mind. The pressures for teachers to teach to a test score is probably just as high as it is for kids to learn to a test score.
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Hi Brent,
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Brent Barge
2/15/2020 03:36:25 pm
Back to the Basics! I like that! It reminds me of Pitch Perfect 2. The group came together, HAD FUN, and "found their sound." hehe
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Kaitlyn Y
2/12/2020 10:24:03 am
Hey Brent! I really like that you touched on tactile learning. I learned this way as well growing up as touch was important for me to conceptualize. I think that this is an important topic for educators to continue to look into!
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Brent Barge
2/15/2020 03:37:23 pm
People learn in different ways, and hands on learning is definitely a way that I learn well!
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Hannah Smith
2/13/2020 01:49:19 pm
I agree with you that making and playing needs to be part of school. However, students do need to learn the things that are in the standards as well. As far as I am concerned it doesn't matter how this happens as long as it does. I agree that there is too much weight put on testing, especially at younger ages. There are actually studies to prove that the least accurate measure of how a student is doing in school is their letter grade. So yes, play and make should be a part of school, however, there needs to be a balance because they need to be learning above all else.
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Brent Barge
2/15/2020 03:39:03 pm
There is a saying "Balance is Key". I think, as you do, that this saying is applicable in this situation.
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