1) Content and Engagement
The Play, Create, Connect: A Universal Learning Space Playground presents content centered on integrating Creativity, Storytelling, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Engagement occurs in two simultaneous tracks. First, through Individual Station Flow, where attendees explore multiple tables, posters, and stage areas hosted by various presenters who speak on related specific topics. Second, through the Shared Community Experience—a central, low-stakes challenge focused on leveraging technology and innovation alongside play, creativity, and storytelling. This central space invites active participation in a hands-on analog or digital play challenge, facilitating real-time peer-to-peer engagement and resource sharing. The entire two-hour experience connects the audience by requiring immediate application of principles, encouraging attendees to tailor their learning by choosing stations aligned with their interests, and building community through collaborative sharing of design concepts and resources.
2) Time
The entire Playground experience is a dynamic two-hour session built for continuous attendee flow. The time is not rigidly segmented for the audience but is dedicated to concurrent experiences: the Individual Station Flow features presentations and hands-on activities that are typically structured to last 20–40 minutes for attendees who choose to stay for the full cycle at a table. The Shared Community Experience runs for the full two hours as an open-ended, drop-in activity, allowing attendees to spend as much or as little time there as they choose.
3) Process
The process adheres to the recommended ISTE & ASCD structure for an immersive, multi-station Playground format. The primary tactic is Continuous Flow, allowing attendees the freedom to join and leave at any point during the two-hour block, tailoring the experience to their needs. Peer-to-Peer Interaction is frequent and continuous, occurring through small-group discussions at individual stations and collaborative sharing of resources/design concepts in the central area. The learning is cemented through Hands-on Play, utilizing both physical materials (for analog prototyping) and digital tools (for digital creation and resource access) to explore accessible design and creative problem-solving. This design-by-doing approach ensures a high level of active engagement and utility.
After this session, participants will be able to:
1. Design a playful, accessible instructional activity (a "UDL prototype") that integrates storytelling and digital tools, ensuring multiple means of creative engagement and expression.
2. Apply foundational Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles (Engagement, Representation, Action & Expression) to existing lesson plans to remove barriers and increase connection for diverse learners.
3. Utilize at least three new digital tools or low-tech strategies to customize and personalize learning experiences, including techniques for incorporating real-time feedback and catering specifically to neurodiverse and multilingual learners.
4. Analyze the concepts of belonging and curiosity and design technology-driven, problem-solving tasks that spark student creativity and nurture deeper thinking for all learners.
5. Collaborate with peers to share ideas and practical resources for designing accessible learning spaces and promoting innovative instructional design principles.
Bringing Joy to School: Engaging K-16 Learners through Maker Literacies and Playshops Davis, Summer J.; Scott, Jill A.; Wohlwend, Karen E.; Pennington, Casey M. Teachers College Record, v123 n3 Mar 2021
https://eric.ed.gov/?q=toys&pg=7&id=EJ1349777
Pedagogy of Play | Project Zero
https://pz.harvard.edu/projects/pedagogy-of-play
Tapping Playful Research to Create an Inclusive Classroom Community (Voices) | NAEYC
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/fall2023/inclusive-classroom-community
| Related exhibitors: | Aqua by Adobe |
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