How to Teach in a Fun and Playful Way

Teaching is not merely about imparting knowledge; it's about creating a memorable experience for the students. Over the years, we've seen the effectiveness of combining education with fun. From nursery rhymes that become musical inputs to complex tables that turn into catchy songs, the importance of merging learning with play can't be overstated. This article explores practical ways to embrace playful methods in teaching and how to ensure that learning is both fun and effective.

Why Combining Learning with Fun is Essential

When we look back, we remember lessons that were not just informative but also engaging. For instance, my father, who went to school 80 years ago, could recite the 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, and 1/8 tables to this day. These memories emphasize that fun and learning go hand in hand. It is crucial for teachers to believe in this combination and be enthusiastic about incorporating play into their teaching methods. This belief stimulates innovation and ensures that teaching becomes a joyful experience for both teachers and students.

Teaching Styles and Playful Approaches

Teaching can be segmented into different styles, and each can benefit from playful methodologies. For instance, a ‘telling’ teacher can observe TV news anchors for pointers on how to package information engagingly. They can use narration, varying tones, and body language to keep students attentively involved.

This approach applies even to a facilitator type, who can design activities to engage students and facilitate a hands-on learning environment. Encouraging adults to participate in tasks that promote learning can greatly enhance their engagement. Students can be involved in designing activities, creating resources, reflecting, and conceptualizing ideas.

Out-of-Classroom Learning

Teaching doesn't always need to happen within the confines of a classroom. For instance, I once took my class to a garden to teach them about gardening tools. This real-world experience made the lesson more relatable and enjoyable.

Incorporating Games and Stories into Lessons

A great way to engage students is to turn the material into a game. For foreign language classes, you can play an “Around the World” game where you hold up an object in English, and students quickly identify it in a different language. This not only makes learning interactive but also enhances their vocabulary skills.

Another powerful technique is storytelling. Tying educational content into a story allows students to visualize and contextualize abstract concepts. An example can be a problem-solving story where the solution is what the lesson aims to teach. For instance:

Bob has to get away. They're out to get him. He has a row boat, but it can only hold 150 pounds. If Bob weighs 120 pounds fully dressed, and his rifle weights 12 pounds unloaded, how many packs of ammunition can he take in the boat if each pack weighs 3 pounds? Can he also take 5 pounds of spam if he takes only 5 packs of ammunition?

Distilling complex concepts into such relatable stories makes the learning process more enjoyable and memorable.

Conclusion

Incorporating play and fun into teaching can significantly enhance the learning experience. It requires teachers to be innovative, engaging, and perhaps a bit more dramatic than usual. By doing so, we ensure that learning is not just efficient but also enjoyable, which ultimately benefits our students.