Workshop Tutorial: The Value of Play at Work

Presented at ETR EdTech Conference 2024

Workshop Overview

This interactive workshop explores the transformative power of play in the workplace, focusing on how play can enhance creativity, collaboration, and employee well-being. Participants will learn how to integrate playful practices into their daily routines and organizational culture to foster innovation and build stronger teams.

Target Audience

  • Educators, administrators, and EdTech professionals.

  • Team leaders and HR professionals seeking to boost team engagement and productivity.

  • Anyone interested in creating a more dynamic and enjoyable work environment.

Objective

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

  1. Understand the psychological and organizational benefits of play at work.

  2. Learn strategies to incorporate play into professional settings without diminishing productivity.

  3. Practice playful techniques to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and team collaboration.

Workshop Duration

Total Time: 90 minutes

Curriculum Outline

1. Welcome and Introduction (10 minutes)

  • Activity: Icebreaker - "Two Truths and a Lie (Play Edition)"

    • Each participant shares two fun truths and one playful lie about themselves related to work or hobbies.

  • Overview:

    • Define “play at work.”

    • Highlight how play can foster a sense of belonging and encourage innovative thinking in EdTech environments.

2. The Science of Play (15 minutes)

  • Presentation:

    • The role of play in cognitive development and adult learning.

    • Psychological benefits: Reduced stress, increased engagement, and improved problem-solving.

    • Workplace case studies: Companies that successfully incorporate play into their culture.

  • Interactive Poll:

    • "What’s your biggest challenge in integrating play at work?"

3. The Playbook: Practical Strategies for Play at Work (20 minutes)

  • Facilitator Demo:

    • Low-Stakes Play: Quick team games like Pictionary, word association, or trivia.

    • Creative Play: Brainstorming exercises using playful constraints (e.g., solving problems as superheroes).

    • Collaborative Play: Activities like Lego building or creating a team vision board.

  • Small Group Activity:

    • Teams design a 5-minute playful activity tailored for their workplace or team.

4. Play in Practice: Real-World Application (30 minutes)

  • Case Study Scenarios:

    • Groups select a challenge (e.g., resolving conflict, improving creativity, or onboarding new employees).

    • Use playful techniques to brainstorm solutions.

    • Share and discuss ideas with the larger group.

  • Examples of Play at Work:

    • Role-reversal brainstorming: Employees think like customers.

    • "Play Breaks": 10-minute daily activities like desk yoga, trivia, or team storytelling.

5. Measuring the Impact of Play (10 minutes)

  • Discussion:

    • How to measure engagement and productivity gains from play-based initiatives.

    • Tools and techniques for gathering team feedback on playful interventions.

  • Takeaway Handout:

    • A list of play-based activities and digital tools (e.g., Kahoot, Miro, Mentimeter).

6. Conclusion and Call to Action (5 minutes)

  • Recap:

    • Reiterate the benefits of play in fostering innovation and collaboration.

    • Encourage participants to adopt one playful practice at work next week.

  • Closing Activity:

    • “One Word Wrap-Up”: Each participant shares one word that captures how they feel about incorporating play at work.

Materials Needed

  • Projector and slides for the presentation.

  • Small items for collaborative play (e.g., Lego sets, sticky notes, markers).

  • Digital polling tools (e.g., Mentimeter or Slido).

  • Handouts with tips and resources for integrating play into the workplace.

Post-Workshop Resources

  • Curated list of articles, podcasts, and books on workplace play.

  • Follow-up email with a recap of strategies and activity templates.

  • Optional invitation to join a virtual "Play at Work" community for continued learning and idea sharing.

Key Takeaways

  • Play is not just for children—it’s a powerful tool for boosting creativity, collaboration, and well-being in the workplace.

  • Integrating play doesn’t mean sacrificing professionalism or productivity. Instead, it can unlock new levels of innovation and team cohesion.

  • Small, intentional steps can lead to big cultural shifts toward a more dynamic and engaging work environment.