Playful learning with educational technology: The Wendy TD project

In 2015 the Peter Pan Charity Association and the Institute for Educational Technology of the Italian National Research Council, from within the welcome centre 'The Great House of Peter Pan' (home for temporary domiciling of those needing onco-haematological therapy at the Bambin Gesù pediatric hospital in Rome), launched the WendyTD initiative, which involves several volunteers of the association (the so called "Wendies"), who deal with the playful entertainment of the children in the use of some educational technologies (TD1) in playful learning activities. This contribution will illustrate the capabilities of the technologies considered (Bee-Bots, Pro-Bots, Tablets and IWBs) to implement playful learning during the entertainment of young guests in the houses. In addition, the methods and tools used to monitor the activities of the children will be explained. Some first evidence will also be presented, in particular how the use of the proposed playful approach and technology allows the children to reach educational goals in an informal way. The contribution will outline how the initiative will continue in order (a) to consolidate the practices put in place in the first year of activity, (b) to foster the involvement of the over 14 young people, relying on more advanced technologies, stimulating computational thinking through the use of robots, 3D printers, holograms, videogame editors, etc.