Personal Development
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Exploring Play: The Importance of Play in Everyday Life

Course Cover

5

(4)

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Course Features

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Duration

7 weeks

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Delivery Method

Online

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Available on

Lifetime Access

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Accessibility

Desktop, Laptop

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Language

English

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Subtitles

English

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Level

Intermediate

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Effort

3 hours per week

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Teaching Type

Self Paced

Course Description

This course by the will challenge you to think differently about playing.

We will discuss the definitions of play as well as current debates on how play's nature changes. Is play a way to learn? Can it help young people be successful in adult life? Is play for everyone?

Course Overview

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International Faculty

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Post Course Interactions

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Instructor-Moderated Discussions

Skills You Will Gain

What You Will Learn

Describe Brian Sutton-Smith’s seven rhetorics of play

Explore the history of toys and games

Identify continuity and change in play across centuries

Compare play activities across cultures

Debate the impact of modern technology on play

Investigate where children and teenagers play in your neighborhood

Discuss the provision and exclusion of play spaces in society

Explore the role of emotion and gender in children’s play

Evaluate the role of play during times of illness, trauma or accident

Investigate types of play in virtual worlds

Summarise the experiences of activists, practitioners and parents in relation to disability and play

Demonstrate an understanding of serious play through playful missions

Reflect on the relationship between play, creativity and innovation in the workplace

Target Students

Play is a fundamental part of innovation and creativity across a whole range of subjects, careers, disciplines and industries, from fashion and engineering to teaching and business

Course Instructors

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Elizabeth Wood (Educator)

Instructor

I am Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield, and specialise in researching play. Developing the MOOC with colleagues across different disciplines has been fascinating.
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Jackie Marsh

Instructor

I am Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield. I am interested in children's development of digital literacies and creativity through their engagement in making and makerspaces.

Course Reviews

Average Rating Based on 4 reviews

4.8

75%

25%

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