Unit name | Play and Creativity |
---|---|
Unit code | SPOL22021 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Debbie Watson |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Completion of: Either SPOL10024 Or SPOL10023 |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
All children play and this engaging unit explores the importance of play and creativity to all children's learning, development and leisure experiences from babies to teenagers. Sociocultural, poststructural and psychological theories will be considered. You will also get the chance to conduct observations of children in real life settings as well as taking part in a creative workshop.
The contexts in which play and creativity occur for children will also be considered in respect of educational and wider play provisions. Attention will be paid to innovative theorists and curricula approaches and to contemporary theories of play, and the ways in which children engage with popular cultures, new media technologies, public space, and the importance of children’s cultural worlds. . The impact of government policy and contemporary curricula on children's play and creativity will be considered. Underpinning the unit will be a consideration of how we observe and assess children and engage in creative enterprises with children; as well as how we can respond to diversity, equity, quality and ethical practice in providing for children in these areas.
By the end of this unit students should be familiar with:
By the end of this unit students should be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through belended learning involving a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, inlcuding weekly lectures, practical activities supported by study-group sessions and self-directed exercises including practising research observation skills. The narrated power point presentations will cover conceptual and theoretical aspects of play and creativity theories and practices as well as consideration of the research evidence. In-depth extended learning will take the form of self-paced, materail delivered electronically, and undertaken individually or in groups and involving elements of tutor feedback. This will involve students engaging in their own creative making activity which will be incorporated into their portfolio assessment. Small group exercises will be used to foster collaborative learning. Feedback will be provided for formal asessments, preparation for which will be supported through online activities and in study group sessions with tutors.
Part 1: Child observation proposal (1000 words) (25%)
Part 2: Portfolio (2000 words) (75%)