Reclaiming Fun in Higher Ed: David Thomas on Professors at Play

Overview: Are you feeling the weight of the "same old, same old" in your classroom? In this episode of The Gamified Classroom, host Lisa Cherivtch sits down with David Thomas—the "Professor of Fun"—to explore how play is saving higher education from burnout. From his roots as a video game critic to co-founding the Professors at Play movement, David shares why fun isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it’s fundamental to student success and faculty well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• The Burnout Antidote: How bringing your playful self to class can reignite your passion for teaching.
• The Pyramid of Play: A structured approach to moving from simple icebreakers to full game-based learning.
• Community Over Competition: Why the "Playposium" is breaking down the traditional silos of academia.