Title: Playfulness as a teaching method in adult education: the case of a vocational institution

Authors: Vasiliki Brinia; Aris Plios; Paraskevi Psoni

Addresses: Athens University of Economics and Business, 76 Patision Street, 10434, Athens, Greece ' Hellenic Open University, 18 Aristotelous Street, 26335, Patras, Greece ' Athens University of Economics and Business, 76 Patision Street, 10434, Greece

Abstract: Playfulness as a learning technique is applied into the present research in a group of adult learners. Initially, a game scenario was designed and implemented for the subject of microeconomics. Following a qualitative research methodology, through observation and interviews with ten participants before and after the playful activity, the results of the intervention were examined in terms of learning impact, student motivation and the interaction that was developed between them during the game. The participants' views on the advantages and disadvantages they identified in this scenario as well as their suggestions for improvement and expansion were also explored. Significant findings on this application were drawn, since playfulness in teaching is gradually coming to the forefront of adult training worldwide. The present paper provides insights on what conditions should be further examined, in order for such scenario to be effective as teaching techniques. The limited literature on the topic as well as the increasing realisation of the important effects of playfulness in adult training render the present study significant at an international level for multiple disciplines.

Keywords: experiential learning; adult training; playfulness in teaching; playfulness and learning; game scenario; cognitive skills.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2024.139734

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2024 Vol.16 No.4, pp.369 - 384

Received: 03 Sep 2022
Accepted: 24 Jun 2023
Published online: 05 Jul 2024 *

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