The Role of Fun in Adult Learning: Insights from Research
Explore the impact of fun and enjoyment on adult learning programs, investigating the perspectives of both learners and teachers. Discover how positive emotions, challenge, achievement, and intrinsic motivation contribute to a better educational experience. Through phenomenological research, delve into the lived experiences of adult learners and teachers, revealing that fun and enjoyment enhance cognitive functions, motivation, and overall well-being in the learning process.
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The role of fun in adult learning Dorothy Lucardie
Fun and enjoyment Aim- to discover the role that fun and enjoyment plays in adult learning programs What do adult learners identify as fun or enjoyment? What was the impact of the experience of fun or enjoyment on their learning? What where teachers perspectives on the role of fun and enjoyment?
Literature Fun Essential for children (Hromek & Roffey, 2009) Recommended for older adults (Davis,2001) Positive emotions: Increases ability to view life events as positive and helpful and Decreases the perception of events as negative and hopless (Diener & Tov, 2009)
Literature Hard fun- challenge and achievement (Papert,1996) Fun and importance- increase motivation, especially intrinsic motivation and goal directed activities (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999) Positive emotions- positive educational experiences (Mackeracher, 2004) Happiness- function better (Field, 2009)
Methodology Phenomenology- lived experience Interpretive perspective- constructivist Verbal interviews 40 students and 9 teachers Certificates of General Education for Adults Likely to have had poor schooling experiences Teachers adept at engaging
Findings What are learners doing when they are experiencing fun or enjoyment Autonomous activities Achieving competence Working with others What are learners feeling? Interest Well being Positive emotions
Impact Learners say fun and enjoyment impact on their learning. Cognitive: Concentration Comprehension Memory Feelings: Motivation Stress reduction
Impact Teachers agreed with the learners Cognitive: Concentration Engagement Memory Feelings: Relationships Motivation Positive emotions
Conclusion Fun and enjoyment does play a role in adult learning. Positive emotions link with successful learning and self perception of increased well-being achievement of competence improved relatedness with others, intrinsic motivation and goal achievement.
References Davis, A. (2001). The impact of aging on education, Adult Learning and Development Continuing Education Division, University of Manitoba. Diener, E. & Tov, W. (2009). Wellbeing on planet earth , Psychological Topics Vol 18, No 2, pp 213-219. Field, J. (2009). Wellbeing and happiness: IFLL Thematic Paper 4, Inquiry into the future for lifelong learning, NIACE, Leicester. Hromek, R. & Roffey, S. (2009). Promoting social and emotional learning with games: its fun and we learn things . Simulation and Gaming, Oct 1, Vol 40, pp 626-644. Mackeracher, D. (2004). Making sense of adult learning. University of Toronto, Canada. Papert, S. (1996). The connected family: Bridging the digital generation gap, Longstreet Press, Atlanta. Sheldon, K. & Elliot, A. (1999). Goal striving, need satisfaction and longitudinal well-being: The self-concordance model , Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 76 (3), pp 482-497.
