Dedicated facilities established for research into playful learning

At the University’s Playful Learning Center, early education researchers work together with companies. The first groups of children can visit the City Centre Campus research space on 16 September.

The University of Helsinki (PLC) and have combined forces to develop and research early education tools. The new research laboratory is located at the Siltavuorenpenger facilities of the .

“The Playful Learning Center combines two areas of Finnish excellence, pedagogy and game development. The Center offers new opportunities to develop solutions that promote lifelong and lifewide learning,” says Kristiina Kumpulainen, professor of pre-primary and primary education.

The multiliteracy of images, sound, presentations, body language and other messages has increased in importance along with children’s media skills.

She describes PLC as a playground for small children, teachers, teacher students and entrepreneurs that addresses many of the central needs of pre-primary and primary education.

For the sake of multiliteracy

The multiliteracy of images, sound, presentations, body language and other messages has increased in importance along with children’s media skills. The development of problem-solving and cooperation skills can also be supported with state-of-the-art technology.

, the project’s other corporate sponsor alongside Rovio, has donated a range of technology for the Center, from tablets to video recording equipment. Several Finnish companies and startups developing learning solutions and environments are also involved. The background funding for PLC comes from , a major Finnish funding Agency for innovation.

The cooperation between the Playful Learning Center and Rovio will be opened on Siltavuorenpenger on 16 September, when the first groups of children will be admitted to try out the facility.