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Learning Through Play
Author(s) -
Honeyford Michelle A.,
Boyd Karen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of adolescent and adult literacy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1936-2706
pISSN - 1081-3004
DOI - 10.1002/jaal.428
Subject(s) - literacy , psychology , experiential learning , visual literacy , pedagogy , citizen journalism , mathematics education , modalities , sociology , computer science , social science , world wide web
Abstract Play has a significant role in language and literacy learning. However, even when valued in schools, opportunities for play are limited beyond early childhood education. This study of an after‐school program for adolescents looks closely at several forms of play that students engaged in to produce self‐portraits. The study suggests that play and experimentation with visual texts, tools, spaces, peers, and materials contributed to students’ engagement with complex visual literacy practices. Two important implications are discussed: (1) that learning through play is a participatory, inclusive approach to literacy that invites adolescent students, even those often reticent to take risks, to cultivate literacy practices and identities; and (2) that visual modes of literacy play and production enable an experiential understanding of academic literacy concepts adaptable to other modalities and contexts.