Freedom to Play

This book empowers all language and literacy teachers and researchers.

It:

frames teaching as using S.P.A.C.E. within constraints to "create playgrounds" where everyone can play.

levels up the reader's ludic, language and pedagogy literacy: they will Play - Learn About - Apply and Yearn for more.

features hundreds of practical examples from our decades of successful teaching and research

balances theory, research, and practice

critiques gamification and game-based learning; don't trick, be ludic

includes two rigorous courses for readers to 1) create lesson plans, and 2) evaluate and share their teaching

is playful: memes, jokes, anecdotes, successes, and failures

is humanistic: teachers and students before tech

is inclusive: ludic language pedagogy examples for various contexts

is diverse in terms of its focus on games, literacy skills, pedagogical approaches, students, teachers, and researchers

is supportive: The book is integrated with our community

bridges the research-practice divide