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3. Serious fun: Reimagining Higher Education from a humane perspective

  • Sarah Honeychurch (author)
Chapter of: Stories of Hope: Reimagining Education(pp. 41–48)

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Metadata
Title3. Serious fun
SubtitleReimagining Higher Education from a humane perspective
ContributorSarah Honeychurch (author)
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0462.03
Landing pagehttps://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0462/chapters/10.11647/obp.0462.03
Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
CopyrightSarah Honeychurch;
PublisherOpen Book Publishers
Published on2025-07-02
Long abstractThis chapter explores the idea that resilience in education is distinct from grit, emphasising that learning and teaching in Higher Education should be an enjoyable and engaging adventure. It advocates for the concept of “serious fun” in teaching and learning, where assessment serves as a tool for growth rather than a barrier. The Patchwork Text model is highlighted as an effective and supportive approach to assessment, fostering deeper student engagement. Ultimately, the chapter argues that even small changes in learning and teaching practices can significantly enhance experiences for both educators and learners—and create hope.
Page rangepp. 41–48
Print length8 pages
LanguageEnglish (Original)
Contributors

Sarah Honeychurch

(author)
Academic and Digital Development at University of Glasgow

Sarah Honeychurch works in Academic and Digital Development at the University of Glasgow. She has a PhD in participatory learning, which taught her about the importance of play for creativity and for authentic learning and this is where she coined the phrase “serious fun” to describe enjoyable and authentic learning experiences. She enjoys connecting with likeminded lifelong learners in online communities and collaborating in practices of digital remix with her fellow bricoleurs. Sarah and her husband live in Glasgow and are owned by two cats called Cagney and Lacey. When she is not playing around on the Internet she enjoys doodling, knitting, and playing one of her many ukuleles very badly. Her current research interests are participatory learning, lurkers, affinity networks, and bricolage. You can find how to connect with Sarah via https://about.me/sarahhoneychurch

References
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  6. Honeychurch, S. (2021). The emergence of participatory learning: Authenticity, serendipity and creative playfulness [PhD thesis]. University of Glasgow.
  7. Honeychurch, S. (2023). Bricolage as a holistic model for active learning. In W. Garnham & I. Gowers (Eds.), Active learning in higher education: Theoretical considerations and perspectives (pp. 27–33). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003360032-4
  8. Mill, J. S. (1991). Utilitarianism, liberty, representative government: Selections from Auguste Comte and positivism (Nachaufl; Reprinted; first publ. 1910). Dent [u. a.].
  9. Morrison, N. (2023). Crackdown on “Mickey Mouse Degrees” will hit poorest students hardest. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2023/07/17/crackdown-on-mickey-mouse-degrees-will-hit-poorest-students-hardest/?sh=73d1464a37fb
  10. Nietzsche, F. (2003). Twilight of the idols and the anti-Christ (trans. R. J. Hollingdale; repr. with a new chronology). Penguin Books.