Fun and Play as Effective Catalysts for Adult Learning

This past week NACCE celebrated its 14th Annual Conference in Sacramento, CA. We were joined by nearly 400 community college presidents, administrators and faculty from the United States and abroad. Our goals were to share best practices in entrepreneurship education, to encourage innovation in the classroom and on campus, and to foster new relationships that will help attendees implement what they learn.

As a staff and volunteer committee, we were wholeheartedly committed to making the three-day conference fun and enjoyable for everyone. Some of the best feedback we received centered on how much fun people had at the conference learning and sharing together. This is incredibly important.

 Here’s why:

From an academic perspective, Lucardie (2014) documented the positive impact by assessing groups and the perceived benefit from learning in an enjoyable and fun environment. She concluded that fun and enjoyment:

·        Motivated learners to show up and learn the knowledge and skills

·        Helped learners concentrate and absorb the information

·        Fostered a socially-connected learning environment

In a world where employers continuously cite the absence of needed “soft skills” of employees, providing effective adult learning and professional development can help faculty and other leaders impart information and knowledge while promoting the development of so-called soft skills through playful and enjoyable activities. The website helpguide.org listed the benefits this way:

Play helps develop and improve social skills. Social skills are learned in the give and take of play. During childhood play, kids learn about verbal communication, body language, boundaries, cooperation, and teamwork. As adults, you continue to refine these skills through play and playful communication.

Play teaches cooperation with others. Play is a powerful catalyst for positive socialization. Through play, children learn how to "play nicely" with others—to work together, follow mutually agreed upon rules, and socialize in groups. As adults, you can continue to use play to break down barriers and improve your relationships with others.

Play can heal emotional wounds. As adults, when you play together, you are engaging in exactly the same patterns of behavior that positively shape the brains of children. These same playful behaviors that predict emotional health in children can also lead to positive changes in adults. If an emotionally-insecure individual plays with a secure partner, for example, it can help replace negative beliefs and behaviors with positive assumptions and actions.

Thanks to Team NACCE, our keynote speakers, breakout presenters, and attendees who made the conference so much fun!

Reference

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042814046242