Date of Award
Spring 5-30-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Paul Sproll
Second Advisor
Nancy Friese
Third Advisor
Khipra Nicols
Abstract
This model making based research project looks at how various materials—produce, board games, toys and curriculums—create opportunities for learning through play. Play creates intimate relationships that are generated between the spaces we inhabit and the objects and people that surround us, focusing on cognitive responses. This paper aims to further awareness of one’s perception of play and how all forms of play create meaningful relationships and improve cognitive development, material awareness and critical thinking skills. Play provides students with opportunities to learn and allow unlimited variations on the learning environment.
This research explores various forms of play through farming, interviewing, photographing, researching, making and creating a teaching practice around play. It asks: How do others deine play? How does play accelerate cognitive development? What materials, objects and practices facilitate play? How might the creation of games and toys better our understanding of play? How is “play “a vital role within education? This paper addresses these questions through multiple studies (written journal, photographic journal and model testing) to explore experiences and definitions of play. Finally, this paper posits a curriculum to enable students to explore their personal perceptions of play and understand the importance of play. Developing multiple board games and toys enabled the construction of user studies to implement feedback for improved educational impact. This research pushes boundaries in arts education, engaging students in meaningful connections with others and the materials they interact with—a practice that will enhance any creative classroom.
Recommended Citation
Diamond, Adeline, "Play is everything : materials + play = learning" (2017). Masters Theses. 107.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/107
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.