#flowstateofmind

The “Flow” state describes an encompassing disconnection of the senses from reality so much as the task at hand becomes the only reality. Whether this is the sum goal of learning in a classroom is arguable. The focus needed to attain the flow state has been observed particularly in kids that console or online game. However this doesn't always translate as an outcome that leads to better class room strategies or desired learning goals. (Berkling & Thomas, 2013) An interesting concept was that of “Hard Fun” which to me seems a bit oxymoronic in word construction as everyone knows “easy” is fun and “hard” is just... hard. The idea behind the hard fun would include using cognitive parts of the brain around strategy and achieving objectives. When this is balanced with a students perceived ability to play theoretically this would create a flow state but when out of balance creates frustration and disinterest. What is clear is that creating a “flow” state game is actually quite difficult as its as much about the game as it is about the persons playing it. In my own training settings I have seen it work both ways, one example would be team building activities where the goals are more focused on the participants collaboration skills and the dynamics of the group to come together to solve a problem. The idea being the feelings of accomplishment and tightening of work bonds will translate into solving everyday challenges in work. An recent example would be renting an escape room experience for 2 groups of supervisors in which they are essentially locked into a room and have to solve the various puzzles to “escape”. This activity was undoubted a good example of a Flow activity as ofter participants run out of time lost in creating the solutions. Win or lose the relationships are often stronger afterward. I enjoyed Sam parallel about the difference in ages in the build of gamification. With “Moore’s Law” in effect every successive generation of learner is experiencing new ways to learn enhanced by the latest technological tools available. (Anders, 2014) I posted in Erika Blog about “Flow” states as a function of how well the players may know each other. In a class room mid year vs. a group of online University students vs a room full of new hire employees with various job roles. I can say that it has taken me a bit to get into the “Flow” of our classroom format with all of the blogging but I feel as though I attain a flow state after I fan the coals of inspiration a bit... ping ponging between blogs looking for synthesis or what I can bring that may have useful relevance.

References:

Berkling, K., & Thomas, C. (2013). Gamification of a Software Engineering course and a detailed analysis of the factors that lead to its failure. 2013 International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL). doi:10.1109/icl.2013.6644642

Anders, G. (2014, April 23). Moore's Law Touches Education At Last -- To Techies' Delight. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeanders/2014/04/16/moores-law-touches-education-at-last-to-techies-delight/#503bba8e4df5