Play-based Learning
Whitepaper: Integrating Play-based Learning in a Hybrid Classroom to Accelerate STEM Education
While we’re all adjusting to working and learning in new ways this year, as an educator you may be wondering why it's important to integrate play-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid classroom or blended classroom. To help you gain a better understanding of this approach to teaching, we’ve put together a whitepaper so you can bring PBL into your own classroom.
This whitepaper dives deep into what play-based learning is, the main benefits of play-based learning, and features examples of PBL activities and lessons that yield the best outcome for students — no matter what type of learning environment they’re learning in.
Expert Contributors
Nicholas Provenzano
Jeremy Macdonald
What You'll Learn
Play-based Learning Philosophy
Play-based learning (more specifically, guided play-based learning) involves a blend of student-initiated and educator-supported learning — both of which build upon a child’s innate desire to play. Like free play, guided play is fun, flexible, and voluntary. However, it requires a careful balance of child-directed learning and gentle guidance from an educator toward a learning goal. Learn more about PBL philosophy and why it’s so impactful in our whitepaper.
Play-based Learning Benefits
Through play, students are able to hit four major situational benchmarks for successful learning, including:
Staying mentally active
Remaining engaged
Interacting socially with peers and/or adults
Building meaningful connections to their lives and the world around them
When all four of these elements are met in a play-based learning session, students are able to rapidly advance their skills in areas like language, mathematics, science, and social-emotional cognition while having fun. Level up your students’ learning with PBL and discover all of the benefits in our whitepaper.
Play-based Learning Activities
Play-based learning takes on a variety of forms, as it can be implemented into classrooms with students of all ages. From at-home activities to virtual activities, the play-based learning activities recommended in our whitepaper are relevant for today’s learning. Read the whitepaper for a variety of specific activities you can use in your own classroom.
