This year’s edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (Wise) will be accompanied by a series of activities titled ‘PLAY’ showcasing the growing role of games in learning at all stages of life.
HE Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, chairman of Wise, said: “Wise seeks to transform education through all possible forms of innovation. Game-based learning includes two indispensable elements for success in this task: it gives students control over their learning environment and it combines learning with entertainment. I am confident that this year’s Wise cultural programme will appeal to learners of all ages, and I extend a warm invitation to experience Wise PLAY at Education City.”
PLAY was developed in collaboration with Katie Salen, a leading authority in the field of game-based learning and the executive director at the Institute of Play, New York City. PLAY is dedicated to harnessing the educational potential of games with the art collective Trafik, known for conceiving interactive multimedia artwork that combines visual material and digital elements.   
Salen said:  “One big goal of the PLAY programme is to bring the world of game-based learning to life for an audience who may be new to the idea. We hope the programme will both inspire and educate the audience about the many forms that games and learning can take.”
Salen will present a lecture at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQ) today on game-based learning, core-trends within the movement, the contexts in which this style of teaching can be used, and the impact it could have on the future of learning. Salen will also conduct a workshop in partnership with VCUQ during which students will develop game design challenges.
The PLAY 160 installation, designed as an artistic tribute to game-based learning, uses the latest developments in the fields of light design and kinetic art.
“Combining the approach of game-based learning with our own design and programming skills, PLAY 160 immerses the public in an intuitive experience where visitors of any age may discover, rediscover and play with the basics of colour, geometry and  musical composition,” said Pierre Rodiere, founder and head designer of Trafik.
PLAY 160 will be on display at Education City’s Ceremonial Court from today until November 2 from 4.30-9pm. There will be special public access during this period to facilitate visits and hands-on experience of the unparalleled international collection of 40 game-based learning tools, organised around nine major subject themes.  
Wise is urging the local community to enjoy free, hands-on access to over 40 game-based learning tools from around the world at the PLAY 160 installation. The general public will be able to experience this unique collection of user-friendly 21st century learning materials through the Wise website at www.wise-qatar.org/play.