Why play matters in a world of REF, TEF and What the Jeff

Alison James

Abstract


This article explores the unease that surrounds the notion of play in higher education and challenges this with the example of a university wide play and creativity festival. The author argues that ina time of educational change, tension and uncertainty play is essential in community building, shifting perspectives, generating new ideas and strengthening relationships.

Keywords


play; creativity; higher education; social theories of learning; community

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References


Brown, S. (2010) Play. How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul. New York: Penguin.

Fagen, R . (1981) Animal Play Behaviour. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kane, P. (2004) The Play Ethic. A Manifesto for a Different Way of Living. New York. Macmillan.

Nerantzi, C. and James, A. (2015) ‘Waterfall of questions or can we afford not to play in HE?’ In: Nerantzi, C. and James, A. (eds.) Exploring Play in Higher Education.

Creative Academic Magazine, 2A, June 2015, 4-5. Available at: http://www.creativeacademic.uk/ (Accessed: 18 September 2017.)

Sutton Smith, B. (2006) ‘Play and Ambiguity.’ In: Salen, K. and Zimerman, E. (eds.) The Game Design Reader. MIT Press. Available at: http://creativegames.org.uk/modules/Intro_Game_Studies/Sutton-Smith_Play%20and%20Ambiguity_Excerpt-1997.pdf (Accessed: 18 September 2017.)




DOI: https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v10i3.616

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