CELT hosts play-based learning 'summer camp'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 11, 2025) — Last month, faculty and graduate students representing five colleges and 11 departments completed a three-day “summer camp” facilitated by the University of Kentucky Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT).

While educational development events typically involve notepads, handouts and slide presentations, participants also used art supplies, electrical circuits, board games and invisible props. They leaned into the summer camp theme with cabin-based teams, fireside chats, improv games, escape room activities and a talent show.

All of this emerged from the workshop’s focus on play-based learning, also known as ludic pedagogy, which encourages creative exploration in the processes of learning.

“A playful approach to learning invites curiosity, connection and the freedom to take intellectual and interpersonal risks,” explained Laura Carter-Stone, Ph.D., a faculty/instructional consultant at CELT and one of the facilitators (or “camp counselors” as they were known during the event). The event was designed and facilitated by Carter-Stone with Shawna Felkins, Ph.D., and Kate Collins, also faculty/instructional consultants at CELT.

“We made an intentional effort to model the concepts we were talking about in the faculty’s experience of the program. We were playful in our planning, and our ‘campers’ engaged in thoughtful, playful learning as they developed activities for their own classes,” Collins said.

“Faculty walked away with new ideas, practical tools and a sense of community to support them in trying playful approaches to engage and motivate students,” added Felkins.

These outcomes are significant as educators seek ways to foster student success during a time of change in higher education, when much of what we do (and how we do it) is being reexamined amid shifting perspectives and expectations for higher education as well as new technological developments such as generative artificial intelligence. Keeping that big picture in mind, CELT strives to create spaces for instructors to learn from each other and build both confidence and skills as teacher-scholars.

“‘Does not play well with others’ would have been the award I won if I went to summer camp as a child,” admitted Shelly Kranjy, lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion (KHP) in the College of Education. “Heading into the summer camp, I was nervous, hesitant and a bit skeptical, but after three days of activities, I was amazed by the dedication of the CELT team. The invaluable experiences and information are something I will use in my teaching forever.”

The summer camp “was a very inspiring experience,” said Fabiola Fernandez-Doig, lecturer in the Department of Hispanic Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I loved every minute of it, even the moments that were challenging. I met friendly and welcoming colleagues. The most remarkable thing about the experience was the dedication, attention to detail and care that Laura, Shawna and Kate put into this workshop.”

As with all CELT programs, the summer camp was designed to provide instructors with the space to develop strategies and activities that they can immediately apply in their teaching.

“The camp resonated with me because I realize that taking students through intellectual journeys is a form of playfulness,” indicated Cynthia Emami, a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Curiosity-driven teaching and play go hand-in-hand, and I’m excited to keep exploring this intersection.”

CELT is offering a full range of events and other development opportunities during the 2025-26 academic year. All UK instructors and staff are welcome to contact CELT with questions and other ideas.