D  O  O  R  S    O  F    P  E  R  C  E  P  T  I  O  N    5

SURE, THEY'RE PLAYING - BUT ARE THEY LEARNING

Doors of Perception 5: Play - side event Saturday morning 28 November newMetropolis, Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam 10.00 - 13.00hrs

newMetropolis is Europe's newest interactive science centre, and in just over a year it has already developed a reputation for innovation in the informal learning environment. In many respects, despite the modernity of its architecture, newMetropolis is a Renaissance project - it puts the visitor at the centre of a world increasingly dominated by technology. Many of newMetropolis' exhibits were designed explicitly as games, and over the course of the past year and a half, a substantial amount of research has been conducted at newMetropolis, much of it on the relationship between play and learning.

On Saturday November 28th, from 10.00 to 13.00hrs, newMetropolis will be hosting this international symposium on 'Play and Learning', as a side event to the Doors of Perception conference which you will already be attending. Be aware that you need to register for this side event as seats are limited.

The programme includes an introduction by James Bradburne (head of research and development) placing the 'Play and Learning' debate in a historical context an interactive and playful break in which participants are invited to try some of the games developed by newMetropolis and look for some specific features a presentation about research conducted at newMetropolis based on three statements 'playfully' chosen by the participants (possible statements include: playing is only for children, cognitive learning does not happen in informal settings, and games increase competitiveness rather than learning) a panel-discussion about the three chosen statements Registration Send an e-mail to Barbara Regeer at regeer@newmet.nl to pre-register. If tickets are still available registration is also possible at the Doors conference at the registration/ information desk.

If you do not want to attend the symposium but are interested in being kept informed about the research conducted at newMetropolis, you can also send an e-mail to Barbara Regeer.

updated 12 november 1998 url: DOORS OF PERCEPTION editor@doorsofperception.com