“I found the day exceptionally useful and well done. I was really impressed by how well Andrew Walsh incorporated theory and background into a primarily hands-on training. I got quite a few tips for teaching and engaging students through play that were totally new for me and I believe that certain aspects of what he taught will stick with me, particularly the caveats and pitfalls for developing games in university contexts.”
“I found the Games Day session very useful and informative. The whole nature of the day appealed to my inner child and I found I was able to bring out creative ideas in a friendly environment very easily. Not only was the day very enjoyable but I feel I gained some great ideas that can be taken forwards elsewhere. I particularly loved the embedding of game elements throughout the day, little things like the ideas cards having extras like ‘steal someone else’s idea card’ forced real positive interactivity to the session which added both to the atmosphere and the embedded learning.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the event. It was well structured and presented, and the slight indifference I felt before the day quickly dissipated. Andrew reminded us that game playing and play takes us beyond the norm – we step through the magic circle he described to a world of holiday and difference where anything may happen. It may be the wood in A midsummer night’s dream or the island in Lord of the flies: one hopes for the former. From confusion represented by the many tiny pieces of Lego, counters, pens, pots of Playdoh, etc., through the thought processes and the group collaboration, to order and the making of actual games, that could be played, it was a fascinating process.”
“I found the day really productive and interesting. Having experienced workshops with Andrew before, and also taken part in lego workshops with Andy Priestner, I didn’t have some of the reservations of my colleagues, and it lived up to expectations. I think the game our group came up with is worth polishing up and pursuing further, maybe with some added lesson plans and other ideas for including it in teaching.”
