Designing Play-Based Learning
Explore concepts of learning through play and use play-based learning to transform the learning journeys of young children.
1,350 enrolled on this course
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Designing Play-Based Learning
Explore the value of play with Federation University
Learning through play is crucial to a child’s early development. But it can be hard to know how to create the conditions for learning experiences that are both enriching and educational.
On this two-week course from Federation University, you’ll learn how to plan and design play-based learning experiences for children in primary education.
Explore different types of play and the importance of play in primary education
You’ll start the course with an overview of play. You’ll explore concepts of learning through play and begin to understand how play can enrich the learning experiences of young children.
You’ll also look at the different types of educational experiences you can facilitate through play.
Examine play spaces and design your own learning experiences
Once you’ve explored the value of play and play-based learning, you’ll begin to design your own learning experiences.
Considering both indoor and outdoor play environments, you’ll take a skills-based approach to devising suitable learning activities. You’ll then have the opportunity to put those learning activities into practice.
By the end of the course, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of play-based learning and the skills you need to facilitate learning experiences in a number of different learning environments.
Syllabus
Week 1
Designing Play
Course overview
In this activity we welcome you to Designing Play-based Learning, giving you an overview of the course, including the learning outcomes and assessment tasks, and introduce you to our play-based learning expert - Loreen Missen.
It's more than play
In this activity you will consider the importance of play in developing a range of skills, emotions, health and encouraging a general love of learning.
Analysing play
Although play comes naturally to both children and adults, there are some key characteristics to rich play experience. In this activity you will learn about the nine characteristics of play, and try out some play-based activities.
Play activities
In this activity you will have the opportunity to design, and participate in play-based learning experiences.
Summary
In this activity we summarise the learning in the first week, and give you a short quiz to check your knowledge of the topics.
Week 2
Designing Play Spaces
Play environments
In this activity you will be introduced to topics to be covered in week two - Designing Play Spaces - and consider the importance of play environments in supporting play-based learning activities.
Indoor spaces
In this activity you will consider the principles that go into designing or choosing an indoor play space, as well as have the opportunity to consider design choices in a play-space case study.
Outdoor spaces
In this activity you will take the play-based learning activities outside, and consider the principles of designing outdoor play-based learning environments.
The play-based learning facilitator
In this activity we will consider the role of the facilitator. Whether an early childhood educator, parent, friend or guardian - play-based learning in enhanced by planning.
Conclusion
This activity will give you an overview of the topics covered in the course, and provide you with an opportunity to check your knowledge with a design activity and a short multiple choice assessment quiz.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Design play spaces to facilitate safe and active learning for children.
- Develop play-based learning activities to use in the designed play spaces.
- Practice play-based learning activities.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone who interacts with young children in their personal or professional lives.
It will be particularly useful for teachers, parents, carers, school administrators, museum educators and any educator or facilitator working in informal learning environments.
Who will you learn with?
Who developed the course?
Federation University
Federation University Australia is a premium dual-sector university that has been educating the leaders, innovators and thinkers of regional Australia for over 150 years.
Established
1870Location
Ballarat, Berwick, Brisbane, Gippsland, Wimmera
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $79/one-off payment | $349.99 for one year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 11 May 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$79/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 11 May 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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