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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

A6

If we took play as seriously as productivity, society would be much richer! Play feels like an indulgence for adults in Western society, but it shouldn't. Teachers especially feel this pressure. We'd see more innovation, well-being, and joy. #EduSkyAU

amiefabry.bsky.social @amiefabry.bsky.social · Jun 3

Thanks for all your insights! Here’s the final question…
Question 6: What would happen if we took play as seriously as we take productivity?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

I do a lot of this in my current role and have facilitated a lot of projects in a school context, too. I get frustrated by the systemised version of assessment we have in schools! No wonder students become disengaged! #EduSkyAU

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

This is really evident! When you start doing PBL with students who have not done it before, they have to re-learn how to play. They have to work out boundaries. I deliberately stay out of group conflict unless I am asked to jump in. #EduSkyAU

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

"Innovation is often about working out which rules are helping and which are getting in the way" #EduSkyAU

Jarrad Strain @jstrain.bsky.social · Jun 3

A4 #EduSkyAU

I think a key point of play, is that there needs to be some rules. When people are playing with different rules, the games are rarely fun.

I think Innovation is often about working out which rules are helping and which are getting in the way.

amiefabry.bsky.social @amiefabry.bsky.social · Jun 3

OK let's explore some of the possibilities of play...
Question 4: How might playful mindsets unlock innovation and collaboration in education?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

A5

If play were a design principle: no A-E grades, strong skill focus, flexible timetable, more PBL/CBL. Assessment would be mostly formative, students show learning, highly individualised, and much more autonomous.

Learning would truly thrive! #EduSkyAU

amiefabry.bsky.social @amiefabry.bsky.social · Jun 3

Keep the thinking coming...
Here is Question 5: If play were a design principle in schools, what would change?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

"High challenge, low threat". This is the space to play in! #EduSkyAU

Jarrad Strain @jstrain.bsky.social · Jun 3

A3 #EduSkyAU

Play can promote engagement, but I think we lose more... Risk Taking, Thinking Skills, Resilience, Communication.

It feels like the idea of "High Challenge with Low Threat" can be explored when we use "Play"

amiefabry.bsky.social @amiefabry.bsky.social · Jun 3

What a great conversation! I could talk about play for hours. Let's turn our focus to play in education. I would love to hear your perspectives on this one…
Question 3: What is lost when we minimise opportunities for play in education?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

My brother (11 years older) had a Commodore 64 growing up! We would then play board games and listen to 80s and 90s music. No wonder I ended up doing a Games Tech degree! #EduSkyAU

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

Do not get me wrong! I am completely with you! #EduSkyAU

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

"Play invites risk, humour, rebellion, delight" #EduSkyAU

Adriano Di Prato @adrianodiprato.bsky.social · Jun 3

A4. Play invites risk, humour, rebellion, delight. These are the raw materials of innovation. A playful mindset doesn’t mean silly. It means serious about exploring the unknown without fear of failure. That’s where collaboration truly catches fire. #EduSkyAU

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

This! Play as a tool for connection! #EduSkyAU

amiefabry.bsky.social @amiefabry.bsky.social · Jun 3

I love this. Play is so wonderful for connecting us as humans. There are (generally) no risks in play- everyone can show up as they are. #EduSkyAU

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

A4

Playful mindsets ignite creativity! In freedom, "what if" questions spark innovation. Applying a "yes, and" attitude in groups fosters true collaboration, building on ideas rather than shutting them down. It's a powerful shift! #EduSkyAU

amiefabry.bsky.social @amiefabry.bsky.social · Jun 3

OK let's explore some of the possibilities of play...
Question 4: How might playful mindsets unlock innovation and collaboration in education?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

When we lose wonder, we lose a love of learning, too!

In my role, we do field trips with students. Last week we went out to Shark Bay. The amount of questions that happen when students have wonder...as my boss Suzy would say that is #therealclassroom.

#EduSkyAU

Adriano Di Prato @adrianodiprato.bsky.social · Jun 3

A3. When we minimise play, we don’t just lose engagement—we amputate wonder. We teach young people that life is a performance, not a process. We risk cultivating perfectionists instead of problem-solvers. Cogs instead of creators. #EduSkyAU

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

Yeah interesting. I think there is a lot of academics that occur without much play. I would like to think that play allows us to move past anything we could just learn through research. It definitely facilitates the deep thinking process. #EduSkyAU

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

Bluey has helped to bring out my inner 5 year old! #EduSkyAU

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

A3

When play is minimised, we lose the love & autonomy of learning. As one student put it last week, "school is like a jail." Learning should be joyful, not a confinement! This stifles natural curiosity & deep engagement. #EduSkyAU

amiefabry.bsky.social @amiefabry.bsky.social · Jun 3

What a great conversation! I could talk about play for hours. Let's turn our focus to play in education. I would love to hear your perspectives on this one…
Question 3: What is lost when we minimise opportunities for play in education?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

Our bedtime stories currently include a ChatGPT story. We've connected all of my daughter's (5) fun things and it always has her and me in hysterics. Her favourite thing at present includes Minecraft zombies shooting themselves with arrows in the butt. #EduSkyAU

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

This! "Like breathing with half a lung" #EduSkyAU

Adriano Di Prato @adrianodiprato.bsky.social · Jun 3

A2. Deep learning without play is like trying to breathe with half a lung. You might survive, but you won’t thrive. Play is the rehearsal room of creativity—it’s how we prototype understanding. Strip it away, and we flatten curiosity into compliance. #EduSkyAU

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Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

For me, play is often with my own kids (5, 13, 16). I do a lot of Minecrafting, and Bluey-style games with my youngest. Then, I do a lot of experimenting with tech. I am a computer programmer by trade (prior to being an educator), so I am often tinkering. #EduSkyAU

Adam Brooks @brookssensei.bsky.social · Jun 3

Very true! Experimenting allows the opportunity to fail lightly! #EduSkyAU