Embracing Leisure in Learning and Teaching Practices
In this insightful presentation, Yazdan Mansourian explores the concept of learning and teaching as a leisure practice. By redefining leisure as a liberating and purposeful experience, he highlights the importance of integrating a leisure perspective into education. Drawing from philosophical roots and emphasizing the value of enjoyable, goal-oriented activities, Mansourian suggests that adopting a leisure mindset can enhance the quality and satisfaction of educational endeavors for all stakeholders.
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Presentation Transcript
Learning and Teaching As a Leisure Practice Yazdan Mansourian, PhD School of Information Studies Charles Sturt University 03 October 2018
Introduction In this presentation I argue that learning and teaching can be much more pleasant and prolific for all the education s stakeholders, if we can experience and conceptualise it as a leisure practice. To construct this argument, I first define the meaning of leisure as a liberating experience and elucidate why we need to consider it as a fundamental base in the context of learning and teaching.
Leisure is much more than idleness My definition of leisure is based on its meaning in the literature body of the leisure studies with direct links to its philosophical roots in the ancient Greek philosophy. Leisure in this discourse is a freely and preferred practice that is enjoyable, has clear aims and provides value and meaning for our personal and social life. In this presentation I focus on the conceptual aspects about why having a leisure perspective in learning and teaching is important.
Aristotle says: Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance determines your destiny.
Happiest people in the world Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays, good company, good conversation - what are they? They are the happiest people in the world. William Lyon Phelps (1865-1943)
Leisure Meaning in a Holistic Perspective Leisure is freely chosen activity that is pleasant, has some loosely definable objective and gives meaning or value to the individual life. (Bammel & Burrus-Bammel, 1992: 25)
Leisure is a state of being Leisure is a state of being, an attitude, a mental condition; it has nothing to do with time, and little to do with space and activity. (Bammel & Burrus-Bammel, 1992: 185)
Leisure in different disciplines Leisure in philosophy: What is leisure and what is not leisure? Leisure in history: How did people do leisure in the past? Leisure in psychology: How does leisure affect our personality? Leisure in sociology: What are the social aspects of leisure? Leisure in biology: How does leisure influence our body? Leisure in technology: How does technology affect leisure patterns? Leisure in education: How can we make learning more enjoyable?
Why leisure is significant? Leisure is the goal of almost all human activities. Leisure is the reflection of eternal true. Only the thinkers, the contemplator and the appreciator is capable of leisure. Leisure is only for those who passionately pursue it. Leisure activities are ends in themselves. (Bammel and Bammel, 1992: 92)
Leisure and identity What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are. George Eastman (1854 1932) For a meaningful life we eventually need to reflect on some sorts of leisure. Leisure is the main opportunity for us to think worthwhile and create beauty and new ideas.
Six key concepts in this context Freedom and Autonomy Relevance and Contextualization Slowness and Reflection Meaningfulness and Mindfulness Willingness and Eagerness Affiliation and Sense of Belonging
Freedom and Autonomy Affiliation/ Sense of Belonging Relevance and Contextualization Learning and Teaching Willingness and Eagerness Slowness and Reflection Meaningfulness and Mindfulness
Emancipation Freedom and Autonomy Flexibility Liberation Openness
Applicability Comparison and Comparability Relevance and Contextualization Correlation Resemblance and Analogy
Contemplation Slowness and Reflection Deliberation Imagination Observation
Thoughtful Meaningfulness and Mindfulness Conscientious Sensible Diligent
Devoted Willingness and Eagerness Earnest Passionate Enthusiastic
Integration Affiliation and Sense of Belonging Attachment Acceptance Rapport, Affinity and Empathy
And Finally It is an old and ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way. Rollo May (1909 1994)
References Bammel, G., & Burrus-Bammel, L. L. (1992). Leisure and Human Behaviour. Dubuque, IA: Wm.C.Brown Publishers.
Thank you for your attention! Any questions or comments?
