Play

Play is an essential tool in learning for every individual.  When you are an infant, much of what you learn is through play.  You learn object permanence through the play of the game Peek-a-boo.  Children play and practice manners and chores when they "play house".  The importance of rules and many math concepts are also learned through board games.  I first learned to budget by playing games like Monopoly and Life as a child.

Play also no knows no age limit.  Even adults learn through play.  Many games shows, like Jeopardy for example, are geared towards adults.  Many professional programs, from law school to med school also use play.  Law students play in their mock trials and mock juries.  Many medical programs use role play and run their med students through pretend scenarios like breaking tough news to patients to treating pretend patients.  Some programs even use highly sophisticated dummies and robots to mimic patient symptoms and reactions as part of this play.

Play is very important for the learner because it allows them to work through new ideas and concepts without the extreme consequences that they might have in the real world.  In the med student scenario, for example, their mistake in the play scenario could ultimately cost a real patient their life.  The students feels the some of the same pressures to perform, but the mistakes are not as costly.  Thus, the learners feel safe and more trusting in play scenarios.  Play keeps interests sparked and allows learners to become more creative.

Each year, usually before a holiday break, I use play scenarios with my students.  They are excellent ways to burn off built up energy and excitement while still learning.  This year, I have planned to use two play scenarios together to teach students about rights.

The first play scenario is that of crime scene investigation.  Years ago, I found a crime scene investigation webquest created by a group of Michigan State students.  The webquest sets up the details of a crime scene and has students work through the evidence and (hopefully) determine which suspect(s) committed the crime.  In past years, I have not been able to use the webquest the way it is set up either because it is blocked on school computers or because the computer lab has not been available.  Thus, I usually end up providing the information to students in a presentation or we go through a packet of information as a group.  We then look at the pictures and evidence via overhead or digital projector and then I ask students to work through the evidence as if they were the detective.  They must pretend that they are responsible for figuring out who killed the victims.  Students always get excited about this project and really get into the play scenarios. 


We completed this initial play scenario prior to the Thanksgiving break.  My students worked in teams/groups.  In each group, one student was designated as a detective in charge of interviewing suspects.  Another was in charge of sketching the crime scene.  Another was in charge of reviewing the physical evidence.  Many students fought over this because it was like watching an episode of CSI.  Then as a group they had to discuss the evidence they each had, decide who they believed the killer(s) was/were, and present their findings.

I will then continue the play scenario with a mock trial.  In class we will review the steps related to arrests and trials.  We will also review the rights of the accused and how those rights are guaranteed by the constitution.  We will reference the concept map from my modeling post and use that to guide us in the direction of our play.  I will then ask students to act out various parts of the process.  The detective, for example, will act out the arrest, making sure to read Miranda rights.  Students will also be split into teams of prosecution and defense.  They will prepare and deliver opening arguments.  They will prepare witness lists and ask for evidence to be admitted into trial.  Both prosecution and defense will examine witnesses on the stand.  Some students will have to role play as witnesses.  One student will play the judge.  Some students will play jury members.  I am looking forward to the students acting out the questioning and the cross examinations in the court room.  And students of course will have to decided if the suspects/accused will exercise their 5th Amendment rights or if they will get on the stand in their own defense.

Mock trials are an excellent example of play.  They allow students to see what the trial process would be like.  They will also be able to role play in the safe environment of the classroom.  Furthermore, students will have to think critically and use their analytical skills as they play through this scenario. I am look forward to the end result.

Below is a picture of another class's mock trial so that you can visualize the play scenario.  It comes from the blog of a school in New York: http://blog.ps119amersfort.com/?p=1099