Play It, Be It: The Importance of the Ludic for Academics

Playful pedagogy has gained momentum in higher education. This chapter outlines how we have developed creative and liberatory courses, modules, and events for under- and postgraduate students as well as (new) lecturers, providing two concrete examples: collage making and found word poetry. We argue that play is important in counteracting the implicit threat that occurs when we are in transitional and reductionist (learning) spaces. Ludic practice acknowledges and fosters the whole person and builds self-efficacy in learners. Play creates the freedom to experiment, to question, and be (cre)active – and thus has the potential to provoke a paradigm shift in education that empowers. We propose that all lecturers need to have the time and space to play if they are to develop playful, powerful practices with and for their students. Poem written with found words by PGCert participant, London Metropolitan University.