Play and Creativity as Extra-Curricular Festivities: A Case Study Following the Play and Creativity Festival

Authors

  • Cassie Lowe University of Winchester
  • Alison James University of Winchester

Abstract

This paper will draw on the experience of engaging students and staff in extra-curricular pedagogic practices through the University of Winchester’s annual Play and Creativity Festival. The article will firstly explore the theoretical grounding for the importance of playful and creative pedagogy in higher education. Thereafter, it will discuss the Play and Creativity Festival as a case study that put theory into practice as an extra-curricular opportunity to engage the entire university community in an annual event at the university. Finally, the paper will explore the effect of engaging staff and students in the Play and Creativity Festival, as both participants and champions of Play and Creativity. The festival turned all participants, regardless of their position, into students who were learning something new together. This lead to a dismantling of preconceived notions of hierarchy through the engagement of students and staff on an equally novice playing field. This paper will explore this effect and highlight the importance of play and creativity in student engagement initiatives, through the case study of the Play and Creativity Festival.

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Author Biographies

Cassie Lowe, University of Winchester

Cassie Lowe is the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Officer and a PhD Student at the University of Winchester.

Alison James, University of Winchester

Professor Alison James is the Director of Academic Quality and Development at the University of Winchester and a National Teaching Fellow.

References

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Published

2019-11-08

How to Cite

Lowe, C., & James, A. (2019). Play and Creativity as Extra-Curricular Festivities: A Case Study Following the Play and Creativity Festival. Student Engagement in Higher Education Journal, 2(3), 172–180. Retrieved from https://sehej.raise-network.com/raise/article/view/862

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2019): Special Edition: Creativity in Student Engagement

Section

Creativity special issue

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