InnoPlay - Innovative Playful Learning Environments InnoPlay, an InnoSchool co-project, is co-ordinated at the University of Lapland Centre for Media Pedagogy . InnoPlay research team: Professor Heli Ruokamo (Responsible Director) PhD Student Marjaana Kangas (part-time project manager and full-time researcher) PhD Student Pirkko Hyvönen (part-time project manager and full-time researcher) InnoPlay examines and develops ICT-enhanced outdoor playgrounds, called Playful Learning Environments (PLEs), and their educational processes. InnoPlay conducts teaching experiments relating to PLEs and tests the associated pedagogical models developed for pre-school and comprehensive school settings. The aim is also to study how technological solutions and playground applications facilitate teaching and learning processes. Finally, the project will explore how ICT can enrich the learning and playing processes when PLEs have been connected to each other, the schools and children’s homes. The research is conducted as a cross-cultural study by collecting research data from schools in Rovaniemi (Finland) and Oldenzaal (The Netherlands) where the PLEs are located. The research is based on Grounded Theory approach and Design-based Research, with the intent to produce new theories, artefacts, and practices that impact teaching and learning in formal and informal settings. The theoretical framework for InnoPlay is designed partly in co-operation with the InnoSchool co-projects to enable the trans-disciplinary research collaboration. In this design learning is defined across time, spaces and places through four dimensions: formal – informal, physical – virtual, local – global, and integrated – distributed. The important part of theoretical background is formed by the sociocultural perspectives, which emphasize the role of cultural tools in acting and learning. The results of the co-project will include findings on teaching, learning and playing processes when utilizing PLEs in school contexts. In co-operation with national and international partners, Innoplay will produce a shared conceptual language that contributes to understandings of teaching and learning processes in playful learning environments. The results of the studies will include: • innovative ways to enhance formal and informal learning in PLEs, • theoretically justified and empirically tested pedagogical models, • new kinds of learning communities and innovative ways to integrate traditional and novel learning methods and materials in PLEs, and • pedagogically appropriate technological and network-based solutions and playground applications for the school of the future where PLEs are utilized. For more information please visit the InnoPlay homepage: http://www.ulapland.fi/?deptid=23296

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