Heli Ruokamo

Center for Media Pedagogy, Univ of Lapland, Finland

November 2009 – May 2010. Working with Roy Pea, School of Education

My project focuses on developing pedagogical models for both virtual and simulation-based, playful learning environments. We have two collaborative research projects currently underway between Stanford and the University of Lapland, involving the development of pedagogical models for virtual and simulation-based learning environments for health and welfare. We conduct research in simulation centers in Finland and the US to test and further develop the models. Additionally, we have been developing pedagogical models for playful learning environments to meet the educational challenges of the future. We have tested the models by conducting international teaching experiments in playful learning environments enriched by technological tools.