SMU’s Center on Research and Evaluation (CORE) will take part in a five-year study examining how elementary school classrooms can become more playful.
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- The study will focus on under-resourced schools around the country, including in Dallas.
Why it matters: The basic model for teaching elementary students — one teacher talking to 20-30 kids — hasn’t changed much over the last few centuries. Academics call it the “sage on a stage” approach.
The big picture: SMU is one of seven universities participating in the “Learning Through Play” study, which will be led by Temple University in Philadelphia and funded by roughly $20 million from the LEGO Foundation.
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- The project aims to develop a way of teaching that fosters children’s creativity, critical thinking, communication skills and confidence.
