Perceptions of play : using Play-Doh to enhance the student experience in bioscience higher education

Lace-Costigan, GL

Abstract

Playful and kinaesthetic learning approaches are used in numerous early years (birth to 5 years old) learning environments, however studies in HE STEM disciplines are uncommon. This study aimed to explore the use of Play-Doh in an undergraduate anatomy module as a method of enhancing engagement. 63 students attended the ‘kinaesthetic play' lecture, where students worked in teams to make a variety of epithelial cell types using Play-Doh. Before and after the activity, students were asked to ‘choose one word to describe how you feel'. Before the activity, 48.3% of responses were negative (E.g. confused, worried, childish). However, after the activity not a single negative response was recorded. 98% of students reported that they enjoyed the activity and 84% reported that the activity increased their understanding. This data suggests a utility for kinaesthetic playful practice in STEM teaching. Overcoming initial student perceptions towards alternative teaching practices is a challenge to be considered during session design.

Citation

Lace-Costigan, G. (2017). Perceptions of play : using Play-Doh to enhance the student experience in bioscience higher education. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 7(3), 26-37. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.2017070103

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 20, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 21, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Game-Based Learning
• Print ISSN: 2155-6849
• Publisher: IGI Global
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 26-37
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.2017070103
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.2017070103
• Related Public URLs: https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-game-based-learning/41019; https://www.igi-global.com/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This paper appears in the International Journal of Game-Based Learning, editor-in-chief Patrick Felicia. Copyright 2017, IGI Global, www.igi-global.com. Posted by permission of the publisher.