An innovative teaching scheme co-founded by Anglia Ruskin University’s Dr Alex Moseley has been recognised by the Collaborative Awards for Teaching Excellence (CATE) for its impact on teaching and learning.
The Playful Learning Association (PLA) was set up by Dr Moseley along with Professor Nicola Whitton, of Northumbria University, in 2010. It is dedicated to enriching universities by championing playful approaches to learning, teaching, assessment, research as well as all other forms of academic practice.
The scheme revolves around collaboration, sharing ideas and expertise to create a transformative experience for students in universities.
The PLA has grown from seven members to more than 500 across the world, and hosts an annual conference, publishes the Journal of Play in Adulthood, provides an online support network and hosts regular meetings and events.
CATE recognises and rewards collaborative schemes that have a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning. Introduced in 2016, the scheme highlights the key role of teamwork in higher education.
Dr Moseley said: “I, and my excellent co-leads in the Playful Learning network, are delighted to receive this CATE award: particularly as it stands for a truly collaborative approach to enhancing student and staff experience within higher education.
“Playful Learning is very much within the realm of inclusive and active learning, and so sits very well with ARU’s strategic approach. As a relatively new area of pedagogy, or maybe a hybrid discipline, it draws on play theory, game design methods, and a sociological and neuroscientific sense of playfulness, and then applies these concepts to practical learning, teaching and research within adult learning.
“At ARU, we ran an institution-wide project to investigate ‘belonging’ for our students and staff and this year, all new students are being guided through their induction to university life through ‘IntoARU’: an engaging, interactive module that was built using game design principles to promote engagement and completion.
“To see our Playful Learning network grow from a handful to over 500 members and see how the network has supported each one of those members to build confidence in their own teaching and research and to fly, fills me with pride and awe.”
