Fun &Learning

by Jessica Bearman

I was inspired to write this quick post after I watched the goofy MASTERFUL video that Gabriel Kasper put together to summarize the top ten learnings from Growing Social Impact in a Networked World: A Grantmakers’Gathering on Networks hosted by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the Monitor Institute.  Several things stood out for me.  First,it’s rare to see a summary of an event in this format (why make a video when a white paper is so much more compelling?).  Second,the video was obviously conceived and executed in a spirit of fun.  And third,I found it to be a very effective way to learn.

See it here.

I went to Google and did a quick search on “Fun and Learning”and quickly noticed that with or without the quotation marks,all the hits were resources for kids.  Searching on Adults Learning and Fun yielded a bunch of websites devoted to icebreakers…as though fun is ok,as long as it’s contained at the beginning of the meeting or workshop.

And so then I asked myself:“What makes learning fun and how can fun make learning better?” And here’s what I came up with,based on recent experiences facilitating workshops.

1. HAVE PARTICIPANTS TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES.  As adults with a lifetime of experience,we like talking about what we’ve done and learned.  It’s a lot more fun to talk about our own experiences in the context of what we’re learning than to hear anonymous examples or –even worse –abstractions.  And we learn better that way.
2. SOLVE PROBLEMS: As fun as it is to talk about ourselves,it’s also fun to talk about other people and organizations,especially when they need advice.  Peer assists and other activities that present real problems to solve are effective –and fun –ways to learn.
3. SURPRISE!   I like formats that deviate from the expected,like the video at the start of this post.  It’s also great to have a reflection like this at the end of a learning experience to tie the many threads together into something cohesive.
4. INCORPORATE THE LIGHTHEARTED.  It’s always possible that you’ll get a few scowlers,but by and large,I find that people like to have something to fiddle with,especially during long workshops.  At a recent workshop hosted by Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers,participants had pipe cleaners and play dough to satisfy their  multi-tasking urges,and I noticed fewer of them checking their cell phones.  Similarly,I think that colorful flip charts,engaging powerpoints,and graphic recording tell a group that you’re invested in holding their attention.
5. SHAKE IT UP.  Moving around —in space and in terms of who participants talk to refreshes participants’minds.  It also prevents anyone from being permanently trapped with a tiresome companion.
6. BRING JOY.  This final tip is the hardest to codify because how we do it is distinct to each of us.  I’ve found that the speakers,facilitators,and educators I’ve learned the most from are those that project a true fascination with their subject matter,a sense of humor,and a delight in the participants.