Mel Ching

@whatschoolcouldbe.bsky.social @wscbevangelist.bsky.social

I’m always inspired by the work Fielding International is doing to reimagine school.

On May 29, they’re hosting a free virtual event with Joseph South on designing for purpose-driven expertise in an AI world.

🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/joseph-sou...

So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for engaging! #EduSkyChat

That’s amazing! Keep doing the good work. Cheering you on! 🎉🎉🎉 #EduSkyChat

But…will they think it’s too elementary? Or is it just a switch in mindset? The benefits of play are huge and just might be worth a little discomfort and struggle. #EduSkyChat

Hope it’s helpful! #EduSkyChat

It does look different for older learners. The way they engage with tools, strategies, or each other shifts as they grow. Many aren’t used to being invited to play in typical learning environments, so it can take time to feel safe enough to lean in. #EduSkyChat

Thank you for joining #EduSkyChat. ❤️ Be sure to follow everyone in the chat and join us next week!

Reconnecting Adults With Playful Learning Creativity and self-expression are the keys to helping adults understand how playful learning can enrich the experience of the children in their world.

A3: Play lives in our team chats: dropping GIFs, celebrating tiny wins, or just LOL-ing. It keeps things light when the work feels heavy. Those moments remind me that delight has a place in serious work, too.

One last resource from Edutopia! www.edutopia.org/blog/changem...

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A2: Yes...so much of this! Unstructured doesn’t mean unintentional. But when we’re used to controlling outcomes, it can feel unsettling to loosen the grip. Play asks us to trust the process, and that can be hard when stakes feel high.
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Q3: Where does play live in your learning life these days? What would it take to invite it back in?

Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

#EduSkyChat - A1: Play is key. If we are playing we do not even realize we are learning. It just seems to come more easily. It is like learning and engagement come together in a beautiful harmony. When play is involved there are so many opportunities to grow in ways we do not even realize.

Jennifer D. Klein (@jdeborahklein.bsky.social) Author, speaker, facilitator & coach committed to equity and justice in education & the world. I believe student-centered learning has the power to reshape society when we engage students as…

If the word "vigor" caught your eye (and ear) in A2, here is an article by jdeborahklein.bsky.social on vigor vs rigor. #EduSkyChat www.principledlearning.org/post/languag...

The Creativity Post | Play Matters: Six Play-Full Practices For… Some topics get a lot of airtime in education. The value of play for children’s well-being and intellectual development is one such topic that has many educators talking. There is ample research to…

A2: Play feels risky because we’ve been taught that real learning should look serious and measurable. But joy, creativity, and vigor can and do live in playful spaces.

Here's an article in The Creative Post on integrating play in higher ed! www.creativitypost.com/article/beca...

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Q2: Why does play feel risky in older learning spaces? What stories or pressures are getting in the way?

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Yes! When play is an integral part of the learning, so many pathways open up! #EduSkyChat

A1: Play is a way of moving through the world. It shows up when we feel safe to follow our curiosity, ask wild questions, or try without knowing the outcome. It's magic!

Here's a white paper by the LEGO Foundation on Learning Through Play. cms.learningthroughplay.com/media/wmtlmb...

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Q1: How might play be welcomed not as a tool, but as a way of being for learners to explore, question, and stay open to possibilities?

Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

Hello #EduSkyChat, friends!
My name is Mel, & I'm the Global Knowledge Curator at @WhatSchoolCouldBe. Although I'm not in an elementary school setting anymore, my ❤️ is still with the littles, where I worked for over 20 years. Play was a HUGE part of learning there (as it should be in all spaces!).

How to participate in #EduSkyChat:

✅ Use the #EduSkyChat hashtag in all posts & replies
🚫 Do not use OTHER hashtags when in the chat
✅ Look for the Q1, Q2, Q3 from the moderator
✅ Start a new post and respond with A1, A2, A3

Welcome to #EduSkyChat! 👋

Tonight’s topic is "The Importance of Play for All Learners" 🛝 with ME as your moderator. Please introduce yourself by sharing your name, role in education, & why you're here tonight.

Be sure to include the hashtag #EduSkyChat!

GET READY!!!


#EduSkyChat starts in 15 minutes.

I'll be chatting with you all about The Importance of Play for All Learners.

⌛ 30 minutes until #EduSkyChat

The topic is The Importance of Play for All Learners, with me, Mel Ching!

🚨 Join us later this evening for #EduSkyChat

I’m moderating 💬, and the topic is The Importance of #Play for All Learners! 🛝

I'm excited to connect with more of you in the #EduSky community. This will be fun!

Such an honor to do this with you, Barbara!

Excited for the #slowchat @techielibgrl.com! What a great solution for when the tech doesn't tech!
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I was looking for it, too!

Me, too. It's one step forward, two steps back, but as long as there is forward motion, it is all good! #EduSkyChat

A3 I heard something about community recently that stood out to me. In addition to all things we usually think about community providing, a true community also "refuses to support our harmful internal patterns." I love that and wish I had the source to cite! #EduSkyChat

Say it louder for the people in the back! 👏 #EduSkyChat