FSSH Professor publishes new book examining the importance of having fun in higher education
Fun need not be left behind in preschool. In fact, , a Communications and Digital Media Studies Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at ºÚÁÏÍø, and Dr. T. Keith Edmunds, an Assistant Professor in Business Administration at Brandon University, have studied and applied four concepts essential to Ludic Pedagogy (teaching with the goal of having fun and creating a joy for learning) in college and university classes. Together, the two academics have written the soon-to-be-released, Rowman & Littlefield book entitled . Fun, play, playfulness, and positivity are the foundational elements of their overarching philosophy.
“In order to win over the elbow-patched-blazer-wearing professoriate, we specifically address why the ludic mindset, and having fun, is compatible with ‘serious’ academic work,” says Dr. Lauricella, whose research has included teaching and learning with technology.
Based on existing research, this teaching tool can guide professionals at post-secondary institutions with useful examples and activities, along with first-hand, experience-based advice. Dr. Edmunds, who also has an interest in pop culture, has practised what he preaches in this new book.
“In many of my classes, I have used role playing and other games to bring theory and academic concepts to life,” says Dr. Edmunds. “Let’s just say that in some cases, I have had to close the classroom door to contain the enthusiastic engagement of my students. Many of them have commented that the real-life scenarios and games I have used in class have not only been enjoyable to experience, but useful in applying and cementing the ideas that I teach.”
Together, with other proponents of the ludic approach to teaching, Lauricella and Edmunds have also founded the Ludic Pedagogy Lab, at ºÚÁÏÍø.
