Hello Colleagues!
I hope everyone is
off to a great start on the research simulation assignment. Well, I will share
with you my experiences thus far…
After thinking about several topics
to explore, I finally decided to research play-based learning. I thought the
hard part was over until we had to choose 3 subtopics and then narrow down to
only 1 subtopic that we would use for the duration of this course. The way this
course is set up, I think we will all have a good experience researching our
chosen topic. I really like how we learn little by little/ step-by-step what to
do. It is not as overwhelming as I thought it would be. Does anyone else agree?
I chose the topic play-based
learning. My subtopic is: The importance of play-based learning. I chose to
explore this topic because when I learned about it in a previous course, I was
intrigued by what I learned. Another reason why I chose this topic is because
of the parents/people who are skeptical about play-based learning. Some think
and say that children do not learn from playing and that they are not happy
that they send their child to school to play. Some even think that teachers are
just babysitters who only allow children to play all day. I think that once I research
this topic I will be more confident when I explain the importance of play-based
learning.
So far, I believe I am on the right
track in this process, but does anyone have anything they would like share that
would be helpful as we progress in this process? Thanks!
Ashley T.
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI like your choice of topic for your research. It is certainly one to explore especially today when child's play in the early years as we know it seems to be losing its value.I also think that it is relevant in helping others to understand the importance of play and its importance to the young child's learning.Great to hear that you are right on track with in this entire process. Together we will make it!
Thank you, Nicola! Yes, We will make it together as a team!
DeleteHi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteTechnology has taken over the lives of our children and socializing through play will soon be of the past if we allow it. Your choice of topic for your research is certainly one to explore. The course indeed lends to steady learning, growth and development. Great working with you again all the best!!!
Thank you, Kerrian! Great to be working with you again, too.
DeleteHi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that learning through playtime is very important. For example when children are role playing they are not just playing a character role they are re-enacting what they perceive is socially acceptable. Play helps children sort out everything that they are bombarded with throughout the day from their influences within their environment. As they weave together all the information they have gathered from various sources, through role play children can describe life as they understand and experience it. Learning through play allows children to reflect on various experiences from their observations of life and make it their own.
As you can see it is a very important topic in my choices as well. some areas of reference I have found to be helpful to my learning in this area are;
Bergen, D. (2002). The role of pretend play in children's cognitive development. Early Childhood Research and Practice, Retrieved fromhttp://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v4n1/bergen.html;
The importance of play in promoting healthy development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, Retrieved from http://www.aap.org/pressroom/playfinal.pdf.
I hope you find these to be helpful.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. I agree that the information presented in this course is not as overwhelming as I thought it would be. When I first saw that I was required to take a course called "Building Research Competency", I admit that I was nervous. But so far, so good. Dr. Todd is really taking us through the research process step by step, so it eases my nerves.
You picked an excellent subtopic. Play-based learning is a topic that comes up a lot in the Early Childhood field. Working in the early childhood field, I hear often that children go to daycare to play all day. Some parents feel as if that’s all their child is doing during the day and that teachers serve more as babysitters. Children are active learners who need hands on experiences to grasp concepts and gain a better understanding of the world around them. This is why there should be an equal amount time set aside for instruction and play, even with school-age children. Children of all ages benefit from hands on learning activities and creative play. It gives them the chance to take what they have learned during instruction time and apply it to the real world.
I have listed below a resource you can use that relates to your topic.
Geist, E., & Baum, A. (2005). Yeah, But's that keep teachers from embracing an active curriculum. Young Children, 60(4), 28-36. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the ProQuest Central database.
Felecia Weathersbe
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to be blogging with you again! I always learn a great deal from you and look forward to reading your posts. Play based learning is a crucial part of development and I think it is great you picked it to research. It is sad to say that some administrators don't see play based learning as being beneficial. Thanks for posting!
Hello Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your posts. I believe that I was in the same course with you where we discussed learning through play. It is a very intersting topic and even though there is much controversy surrounding play-based learning there are many resources available about this subject so you should not have a difficult time doing research.