This week, Dr. T Keith Edmunds, Assistant Professor in Business Administration at Brandon University (BU) co-authored a new book, sharing a plethora of strategies on ways to increase the fun-factor in learning!

Dr. Edmunds was joined by Dr. Sharon Lauricella, a Professor in Communication Studies at Ontario Tech University, to write their new book titled: Ludic Pedagogy: A Seriously Fun Way to Teach and Learn.

'Fun, play, playfulness, and positivity are the foundational elements of their overarching philosophy.'

Definitions:

Ludic: showing spontaneous and undirected playfulness

Pedagogy: most commonly understood as an approach to teaching

One of the biggest issues that educators are facing right now in trying to teach higher education is how to engage the students," shares Dr. Edmunds.  "Getting them involved, getting the talking, getting them interested in what they're doing.  So, we've created this model of pedagogy to try and re-introduce fun to try and get them interested and wanting to be there.  This isn't something new necessarily, but it is a new way of looking at it," he adds. 

Dr. Edmunds says he's had a lot of fun working together with Dr. Lauricella as their styles of teaching are very much alike.  

“In many of my classes, I have used role playing and other games to bring theory and academic concepts to life,” said Dr. Edmunds. “Let’s just say that in some cases, I have had to close the classroom door to contain the enthusiastic engagement of my students. Many of them have commented that the real-life scenarios and games I have used in class have not only been enjoyable to experience, but useful in applying and cementing the ideas that I teach.”

Together, along with other proponents of the ludic approach to teaching, the two professors have also founded the Ludic Pedagogy Lab, at Ontario Tech University, in Oshawa, Ont.

'On June 15, at 6:30 p.m. CDT, an online launch will feature the co-writers. At that time, they will discuss the Ludic Pedagogy model they introduce in their book as well as answer questions. While free to attend, audience members must register at LudicPedagogyLab.com. Following the launch, they will have an opportunity to save 20 per cent on their purchase of the book, states their most recent press release.

Please listen to more of the interview with Dr. Keith Edmunds and CJRB's Betty Sawatzky below.