#writ671mu

[mmtys]

Dr. P Check-in Post Week 1

From this class, I’m very interested in learning how I can incorporate writing into games in my own classroom. Writing, and teaching high school students to write, has been a big focus throughout this program for me, so anytime I can put those two together, I am here for it. It is no secret that students like games, with getting instant feedback, leveling up, characters, and more. That’s a big reason as to why all of the game-based tools like Kahoot!, Quizizz, Blooket, Gimkit, etc. are so popular with students at all levels. Even better that we’re working with online/web writing as many students look toward careers that are based online, and so much writing in general is done online. I’m not sure if students realize there’s more to these careers than just sitting in front of a camera and talking, so I’m looking forward to learning how these connections can be made.

@npfannen

[megpoff]

Module #2: What Is Play? Essay

This is a brainstorm, but I’m posting for feedback.

Definition: Play is the extension of oneself embodied through thought, activity, and physical situation.

MAIN IDEAS:

How play is an extension of self.

1. Play uses thought.

2. Play requires activity/purpose.

3. Play is directed by physical situation.

I am exploring the readings of Huizinga and Sutton-Smith as they seem to be more within the area of cultural and rhetorical aspects of my working definition.

I cannot deny that in the music world, we use the word “play” and then *insert instrument here* - I want to explore how and why we use that specific word and no other verbiage applies. We even have a “play” button for music technology! ▶️ 😄Hopefully that research will also support my working definition.

@npfannen

[hellobeccabetty]

Dr. P Game Week 1 - Summer Fun #writ671mu

Summer is a time to catch up on my ever expanding tbr. I'm currently listening to an audiobook of Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures and painting one of the main characters --Marcellus, a Giant Pacific Octopus. I'm only about a quarter of the way through but it's been a delightful listen so far🐙

[sindarinscholar]

Working Definition of "Play"

The act of play is exactly that, an act. It is an act that is done in the way that it creates and destroys an experience in a designated space. The act of play is accompanied by the attitude of playfulness that can be extended out into spaces that are contextually not used for play and become disruptive and acquires though spaces for the act of play.

[katieec15]

Volunteerism and Games in the Classroom

So this is an issue that I have been running into A LOT within the classroom. Huizinga says that play has to be voluntary. So how do we make students voluntarily play in classroom games? I have found that Kahoot! and Blooket is quickly becoming overused and students are over it. It is boring. They do not get to create their own rules. They are not having fun. It is everything that play shouldn't be...So, I tried out something new this year. I had a couple of different sized balls, 2 trashcans, a couple of notebooks, and other odds and ends. I knew that I wanted to review argument and argument terms with my class, but I knew a Blooket wasn't going to cut it. So I let them create whatever type of game they wanted in each class. This gave the kids power to create their own rules, to disappear into their own imagination, to form social groupings of their own choice, and each period had a different game that they created. I think that I was able to fulfill all of Huizinga's components of plays through this strategy. Now, I did have structure by creating the questions for the game beforehand, but everything else was done by the kids. We had so much fun with these games that kids were talking about it for weeks after. I think that giving kids the power to create and escape from their own reality is a great way to enforce voluntary play in the classroom.

[pope515]

Week 1: Original Content Writing

It is difficult to define myself as a writer, since most of my writing has been technical, either as a graduate student or as an educator making comments on student work. My goal this summer is to broaden my creative writing prowess and practice more of what I teach. In my spare time, I like to indulge in games on my phone/iPad. I love word games, such as Wordle and Contexto. I also love jigsaw puzzles, so I often complete them on my iPad.

[qhaldem]

Peer Review Module 4

Hi everyone! I think I have a pretty good grasp on the rest of the choice assignments I’m doing, but I’d appreciate some feedback on my plan for the “possibilities of play” blog post. So far, here are my main ideas:

A space becomes playful when you agree to enter the “magic circle” of play and are able to be creative and experimental. Within this playspace, you agree to following the rules and are able to escape the conventions of the real world. As you become fully invested, the flow of play takes over to the point where your playfulness extends upon what is expected. 

I want to use Huizinga’s explanation of the magic circle and Sutton-Smith’s ideas on rhetoric of play as imaginary to then discuss flow and how playfulness cannot be tamed from Gameful World. 

Then, I think I’m going to discuss how we can consider graduate learning as play as we enter this discourse community and fully invest ourselves in it. 

I’m hoping I will be able to fit this within the word count, but I might need to cut some parts out. I’d appreciate some feedback to help refine my ideas here within the context of the “possibilities of play.” Thanks!

@npfannen

[npfannen]

EAPSU Volunteer?

If you are interested in volunteering at EAPSU, please let me know. I will need help on both days staffing a registration table, and chairing sessions, and answering questions. Lunch will be included!

Also - it will be much less demanding than the Hunger Games - I just love this series 🤣🤣🤣🤣