08 March, 2024

The 8th of March saw 10 educators from 10 different disciplines across MTU’s Bishopstown and Cork School of Music campuses take part in a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Workshop for Educators that was delivered by the Hincks Centre.

 

 

 

Rebecca Robinson, Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) Facilitator and Researcher with the Hincks Centre, guided educators in engaged, streamlined, hands-on activities, whereby they were introduced to the basics of LSP, highlighting creativity, diversity of thought, and storytelling. After this first set of activities, we discussed the key aspects of the LSP method, such as active participation, storytelling, metaphor and symbolism, reflection and insight, collaboration and team building, and how LSP aligns with constructivist and kinaesthetic learning theories.

 

 

The next activity involved combining elements of the initial exercises focusing on participants envisioning their ideal classroom environment using LSP. This activity encouraged participants to think about teaching methods, environment, engagement, creativity, and student interaction. Common themes emerged among the participants where they shared and reflected discussing the insights and ideas their models revealed about enhancing classroom dynamics and teaching methodologies.

 

 

After a short break and informal discussions, it was back to building! Educators were posed the question “Create a model that incorporates LSP into a future lesson plan to encourage reflective practice in your classroom”. What followed was a guided discussion on practical ways to integrate LSP into future lesson plans, focusing on fostering reflective practice and critical thinking in students. Participants then brainstormed and shared ideas with their peers on how they can apply LSP methodology to enhance and benefit learning outcomes.

 

 

Wrapping up, we had a quick debrief highlighting key takeaways from the workshop and encouraged ongoing exploration of LSP in education and the actionable strategies for classroom integration. Each participant left with a greater understanding of LSP, the tools to implement LSP into their teaching methods and a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® starter kit.

 

 

Thanks to MTU’s Innovation and Enterprise Office for funding this 2-hour workshop as part of MTU’s Innovation and Enterprise Month 2024.

 

 

It's SERIOUS play! 

 

Rebecca Robinson

Hincks Center Researcher

 

 

Further information on the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method of facilitation is available here.

If you would like to discuss LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® further and how it can be of benefit to you, your team or students/class, please contact Rebecca.Robinson@mtu.ie.