Signe Siklander

2026

Siklander, P. & Kangas, M. (2026). Leikillisyys esi- ja alkuopetuksessa – sytyke oppimisintoon. Teoksessa T. Kyrönlampi,. K. Mäkitalo, & M. Uitto (Toim.) Esi- ja alkuopetuksen käsikirja. Santalahti (pp. 256–273). 3. uudistettu painos.

2025

Dukuzumuremyi, S., Siklander, S., Viljamaa, E., Pihlaja, P., & Fonsén, E. (2025). Perspectives on triggers for peer interactions from early childhood education teachers and special education teachers. European Journal of Special Education Research, 11(7). http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v11i7.6434

Li, X., Kangas, M., Siklander, S., & Ruokamo, H. (2025). Pedagogical design of playful learning in English as a foreign language learning: Chinese teachers’ perspectives. International Journal of Chinese Education, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2212585X251408662

Siklander, P., Brauer, S., Thangaperumal, P. (2025). Orientation towards a master’s degree and working life – Higher education students’ perceptions of successful engagement. Student Engagement Higher Education Journal, 6(1), 148–177. https://sehej.raise-network.com/raise/article/view/1226

Thangaperumal, P., Siklander, S., Haque, S., & Brauer (2025). Variations and possibilities of exploratory talk in triggering collaborative engagement during collaborative problem-solving process among MA in Education students. British Educational Research Journal, 51(4), 1853–1879. DOI: 10.1002/berj.4159

Wang, C., Huang, X., & Siklander, S., & Xu, P. (2025). Unlocking the relationship between instructional leadership, psychological well-being, and teacher job crafting. International Journal of Educational Management 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-07-2024-0384

Celic, I., Muukkonen, H., & Siklander, S. (2025). Teacher – Artificial interaction: The role of trust, subjective norm and innovativeness teachers’ acceptance of educational chatbots. Policy, Futures in Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/14782103251348551

Siklander, S., Wang, L., & Moilanen, J. (2025). What creates children’s well-being? A systematic literature review about the connections of play and well-being. Pre-print publication: https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/4nqzs_v1

2024

Siklander, S. & Tornberg, L. (2024). Leikillisyys lasten ja kasvattajan vuorovaikutuksessa varhaiskasvatuksessa [Payfulness in children’s, guardians’ and teachers’ interaction]. In T. Kyrönlampi & M. Koivula (eds.) Leikin lumoa – Käsikirja varhaiskasvatukseen ja esiopetukseen (pp. 236–256) [Enhancement of play – Handbook for early childhood and pre-primary education]. Santalahti.

Celic, I., Muukkonen, H., Siklander, S., & Gedrimiene, E. (2024). The affordances of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools for supporting 21st-century skills: A systematic review of empirical research in higher education. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.9069 https://ajet.org.au/index.php/AJET/article/view/9069

Niu, J., Malinen, O-P., Ruokonen, I., Melasalmi, A., Siklander, S., Wang, X., Zhang, H., Hurme, T-R., Moilanen, J. Li, X. & Wang, L. (2024). A comparative study of early childhood education and care (ECEC) national documents between China and Finland. Frontiers Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1392920

Nguyen, D., Jaekel, N., Siklander, S., & Wang, L. (2024). Second language acquisition in play-based early childhood education settings: A systematic literature review. Pre-print publication: https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/gtwsx

Siklander, S., & Kinnunen, S. (2024). A cultural-historical study of affordances for agency when children play in the city environments in Rome. Pre-print publication: https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/ftuec

2023

Hurme, T-R, Siklander, S., Kangas, M. & Melasalmi, A. (2023). Pre-service early childhood teachers’ perceptions of their playfulness and inquisitiveness. Frontiers Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1102926

Melasalmi, A., Siklander, S., Kangas, M., & Hurme, T-R. (2023). Agentic playful pre-service teachers: Positionings from teacher-initiated playful teacher to community-shared playful teacher. Frontiers Education, 8. doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1102901

Sun, L. Ruokamo, H., Kangas, M. & Siklander, S. (2023). Teacher scaffolding in game-based learning in primary education: A systematic literature review. Educational Research Review, 40, 100546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2023.100546

Siklander, S., Impiö, N., Celik, & Rawat, B. (2023). Description and application of collaborative problem-solving in higher education: Perspectives from international students. Pre-print publication: https://osf.io/preprints/osf/b5pxq_v1

2022

Siklander, S., Kangas, M., & Randolph, J. 2022). Adult playfulness: Finnish teachers evaluating their own playfulness. Pre-print publication: https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/v253g

Siklander, S., Impiö, N., Celik, I., & Rawat, B. (2022). Development and application of collaborative problem-solving design (CPS) in higher education: Perspectives from international students. Pre-print publication: 10.31219/osf.io/spfr2

Sun, L., Ruokamo, H., Kangas, M., & Siklander, P. (2022). Effects of collaborative digital gameplay on students’ three dimensions of engagement in mathematics. International Journal of Game-Based Learning (IJGBL), 12(1). DOI: 10.4018/IJGBL.294012

2021

Siklander, P. & Harmoinen, S. (2021). Ice age is approaching: Triggering university students’ interest and engagement in gamified outdoor playful learning activities. In P. White, J. Raphael, & K. van Cuylenburg (Eds)., Science and Drama: Contemporary and creative approaches to teaching and learning, chapter 8, 125–143. Springer. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-84401-1_8

Ernst, J., McAllister, K., Siklander, P, & Storli, R. (2021). Contributions to sustainability through young children’s nature play: A systematic review. Sustainability, 13, 7433. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137443

Siklander, P., Hintikka, J., & Eskola, L. (2021). The connection of the MindBusinessframework to changes in entrepreneurial self-efficacy in higher education studies – “all challenges can be overcome” (FI). Ammattikasvatuksen Aikakauskirja, 23(1), 78–96.

Salmijärvi, T., Siklander, P., Vuopala, E., & Impiö, N. (2021). Promoting entrepreneurship in higher education institutions – An examination of entrepreneurship policies and the practices of two universities (FI). Ammattikasvatuksen Aikakauskirja 23(1), 59–77.

Näykki, P., Laru, J., Vuopala, E., Siklander, P., & Järvelä, S. (2021). Affective learning in digital education – Case studies of social networking systems, games for learning, and digital fabrication. In A. Gegenfurtner, L. K. Fryer, S. Järvelä, S. Narciss, & J. Harackiewicz (eds) (2021). Affective Learning in Digital Education (pp. 42-55). Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88966-522-8

2020

Siklander, P., Ernst, J., & Storli, R. (2020). Young children’s perspectives regarding rough and tumble play: A systematic review. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 9(2), 551–572. https://journal.fi/jecer/article/view/114146

Siklander, P. & Kangas, M. (2020). Leikillisyys esi- ja alkuopetuksessa: Miten sytyttää innostus oppimiseen? [Playfulness in early childhood and primary education: How to trigger inspire for learning?] Teoksessa T. Kyrönlampi,. K. Mäkitalo, & M. Uitto (Toim.) Esi- ja alkuopetuksen käsikirja [Handbook for early childhood and primary education]. PS-kustannus (pp. 223–241).

Sun, L., Ruokamo, H., Siklander, P., Baoping, L., & Devlin, K. (2020 online / 2021). Primary school students’ perceptions of scaffolding in digital game-based learning in mathematics. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2020.100457

2019

Virolainen, M., Heikkinen, H.L.T., Siklander, P., & Laitinen-Väänänen, S. (2019). Mitä ovat oppimisen ekosysteemit? Pääkirjoitusartikkeli. Ammattikasvatuksen Aikakauskirja. 21(4), 4–25. https://journal.fi/akakk/article/view/89249

Näykki, P., Laru. J., Vuopala, E., Siklander, P., & Järvelä, S. (2019). Affective learning in digital education – Case studies of social networking systems, games for learning and digital fabrication. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2019.00128

Brauer, S., Korhonen, A-M., & Siklander, P. (2019). Online scaffolding in digital open badge-driven learning. Educational Research, 1–17. DOI: 10.1080/00131881.2018.1562953

2018

Kangas, M., Vuojärvi, H., & Siklander, P. (2018). Hiking in the wilderness: Interplay between teachers’ and students’ agencies in outdoor learning. Education in the North, Special issue: ‘Perspectives on Spaces for Teaching and Learning’, 25(3), 7–31. https://www.abdn.ac.uk/uploads/education/documents/journals_documents/Vol_25_issue_3/EITN_2018_03_02_Kangas.pdf

Dukuzumuremyi, S. & Siklander, P. (2018). Interactions between pupils and their teacher in collaborative and technology-enhanced learning settings in the inclusive classroom. Teaching and Teacher Education, 76, 165–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2018.08.010

Siklander, P. & Impiö, N. (2018). Common features of expertise in working life: Implications for higher education. Journal of Further and Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2018.1471126

Korkealehto, K. & Siklander, P. (2018). Enhancing engagement, enjoyment and learning experiences by gamification on an English course for healthcare students. SeminarNet, International Journal of Media, Technology, and Lifelong Learning. 14(1),13–30. https://journals.hioa.no/index.php/seminar/article/view/2579

Sun, L., Siklander, P., & Ruokamo, H. (2018). How to trigger students’ interest in ICT-based environments: A systematic literature review. SeminarNet, International Journal of Media, Technology, and Lifelong Learning. 14(1), 62–84. https://journals.hioa.no/index.php/seminar/article/view/2597

Rasi, P., Keskitalo, T., Vuojärvi, H., Ruokamo, H., Siklander, P. & Kangas, M. (2018). Oppimisympäristöt, tosielämä ja teknologia. Teoksessa M. Hiltunen & P. Granö, & T. Jokela (Toim.)., Suhteessa maailmaan – Ympäristöt oppimisen avaajina (pp. 17–33). Lapland University Press. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-310-934-6  https://lauda.ulapland.fi/handle/10024/63608

2017

Kangas, M., Siklander, P., Randolph, J., & Ruokamo, H. (2017). Teachers’ engagement and students’ satisfaction with a playful learning environment. Teaching and Teacher Education, 63, 274–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.12.018

Pietikäinen, V., Kortelainen, T., & Siklander, P. (2017). The public librarian as partner in a problem-based learning process in secondary school. Information Research 23(2). Paper 755. http://www.informationr.net/ir/22-2/paper755.html

Brauer, S., Siklander, P., & Ruhalahti, S. (2017). Motivation in digital open badge-driven learning in vocational teacher education. Ammattikasvatuksen aikakauskirja, 19(3), 7–23.

Siklander, P. Kangas, M., Ruhalahti, S., & Korva.S. (2017). Exploring triggers for arousing interest in the online learning. In L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres (Eds.) INTED2017 Proceedings (pp. 9081–9089). 11th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, March 6th-8th, 2017 — Valencia, Spain.

2016

Vuopala, E., Hyvönen, P. & Järvelä, S. (2016). Interaction forms in successful collaborative learning in virtual learning environments: Case study in a higher education context. Active Learning in Higher Education, 17(1) 25–38. doi:10.1177/1469787415616730. JUFO1

Randolph, J., Kangas, M., Ruokamo, H., & Hyvönen, P. (2016). Academic achievement and creative and playful learning on technology-enriched playgrounds: An international investigation. Interactive Learning Environments, 24(3), 409–422. DOI:10.1080/10494820.2013.860902 (Published first online 2014)

Hyvönen, P. Helenius, A., & Hujala, E. (2016). Enhancing children’s competencies in playful learning and teaching In M. Ebbeck & M. Waniganayake (Eds.), Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (pp. 99–116). Australia: Oxford University Press.

Rasi, P., Vuojärvi, H., & Hyvönen, P. (2016). Aikuisten ja ikääntyneiden mediakasvatus. Teoksessa L. Pekkala, S. Salomaa, & S. Spisak (Toim.)., Monimuotoinen mediakasvatus (pp. 198–212). Kansallisen audiovisuaalisen instituutin (KAVI) julkaisuja 1/2016. Helsinki, Finland: KAVI. http://www.mediataitokoulu.fi/monimuotoinen_mediakasvatus.pdf

2015

Santiago, M. & Hyvönen, P. (2015). Website preferences of Finnish and Mexican university students: A cross-cultural study. Seminar.Net, International Journal of Media, Technology, and Lifelong Learning.11(3), 236–253.

2014

Hyvönen, P., Kronqvist. E-L., Järvelä, S., Määttä, E., Mykkänen, A., & Kurki, K. (2014). Interactive and child-centred research methods for investigating efficacious agency of children. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 3(1), 82–107. https://journal.fi/jecer/article/download/114035/67234/221598

Vuopala, E., Hyvönen, P., & Eagle, S. (2014). Collaborative processes in virtual learning spaces – Does structuring make a difference? In D. K. W. Chiu, M. Wang, E. Popescu, Q Li, & R. Lau (Eds.)., New Horizons in Web-based Learning, (pp. 271–278). Springer LNCS 7697. DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-43454-3_28

2012

Romero, M., Hyvönen, P., & Barberà, E. (2012). Creativity in collaborative learning across the life span. Creative Education, 3(4), 422–429. DOI:10.4236/ce.2012.34066

2011

Hyvönen, P. (2011). Play in the school context? The perspectives of Finnish teachers. Australian Journal of Teacher Education (AJTE). 36 Iss. 8, Article 5. Available at: http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol36/iss8/5

2010

Hakkarainen, P., & Hyvönen, P. (2010). Tietokoneeton elämä yli 60-vuotiaan valintana – Tunteita ja perusteluja [Over 60 years old person’s deliberate choice of computerless life: Emotions and justifications]. Media & Viestintä 4, 79–96.

Hyvönen, P. & Kangas, M. (2010). Children as experts in designing play environment. In E-L Kronqvist & P. Hyvönen (Eds.), Insights and outlouds: Childhood research in the North, (pp. 143–170). Acta Universitatis Ouluensis E 107. Oulu: Oulu University Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298790150_Insights_and_Outlouds_Childhood_Research_in_the_North

Hujala, E., Helenius, A. & Hyvönen, P. (2010). Play for learning and transition to school. In M. Ebbeck & M. Waniganayake (Eds.), Children’s play in early childhood education: Facilitating learning in diverse contexts (pp. 89–102). Australia: Oxford University Press.

2009

Hakkarainen, P., Hyvönen, P., Luksua, T. & Leinonen, O. (2009). Ikääntyneet mukaan mediakasvatukseen [Involving elderly people in media education]. Aikuiskasvatus 1, 44–51.

2008

Hyvönen, P. (2008). Teachers’ perceptions of boys’ and girls’ shared activities in the school context: Towards a theory of collaborative play. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 14(5–6), 391–409. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540600802571312

2007

Hyvönen, P. & Kangas, M. (2007). From bogey mountains to funny houses: Children’s desires for play environment. Australian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC), 32(3), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/183693910703200307

2005

Lehtonen, M., Hyvönen, P. & Ruokamo, H. (2005). Minkä ilotta opiskelee, sen surutta unohtaa. Emotionaalisten kokemusten merkitys opetus-opiskelu- ja oppimisprosessissa. Teoksessa E. Marjomaa & M. Marttunen (Toim.), Kognitiivisen verkkopedagogiikan erityiskysymyksiä (ss. 91–116). Joensuu: Joensuu University Press.

Hyvönen, P. & Ruokamo, H. (2005). Leikillisyyden ominaisuudet ohjaamisen, leikkimisen, pelaamisen ja oppimisen pedagogisessa OLPO-mallissa. Teoksessa S. Tella, H. Ruokamo, J. Multisilta & R. Smeds (Toim.) Opetus, opiskelu, oppiminen. Tieto- ja viestintätekniikka tiederajat ylittävissä konteksteissa. Lapin yliopiston kasvatustieteellisiä julkaisuja 12. Rovaniemi: Lapin yliopistopaino, 231–244.

Siklander, S. (2026). Pieniä riskejä, suuria kokemuksia: Tutkimusnäkökulmia riskileikin merkityksestä varhaiskasvatuksessa (Small risks, meaningful experiences: Research perspectives on the importance of risky play in early childhood education). Pienten lasten liikuttajien verkostotapaaminen 12.2.2026. Etelä-Suomen liikunta ja urheilu ry, ESLU.

Siklander, S. (2026). Leikki ja leikillisyys ruokkivat mieltä, kehoa ja aisteja – hyvinvointi tulee jälkiruoaksi (Play and playfulness nourish the mind, body, and senses – well-being follows as dessert). Invited key note -talk OPI2026-päivillä. Oulun yliopisto. 31.1.2026.

Siklander, S. (2026). Ruuallakin saa leikkiä! Leikin pedagogiikkaa varhaiskasvatuksessa (You’re allowed to play with food! Play pedagogy in early childhood education). Ruokatutka-webinaari. 27.1.2026. Ruokavirasto, EU.

Member in the round table discussion (2025). AI and Digital Technology Impact on Education.
Sino-Finnish Smart Education Workshop, 18th August, 2025, Beijing, China.

Khan, A.I. Siklander, S., & Jokiranta-Olkoniemi (2025). Playfulness, well-being and gender diversity in higher education: Towards inclusive and sustainable pedagogies. Paper presented at Finnish Education Research Association (FERA) conference. March 6th, 205. Rovaniemi, Finland.

Siklander, S. (2024). Children’s risky play and its connection to agency at the city environment in Rome. International AIESEP conference in Jyväskylä, Finland

Siklander, S., Wang, L., & Moilanen, J.H. (2024). A systematic review on what constitutes young children’s well-being? Implications to ECE teacher education. Poster presentation GRIFE Conference in Hong Kong.

Siklander, S. (2023). A research-based approach for designing teaching and learning in higher education: Do not forget playfulness. Invited keynote talk at NERA conference, Oslo Norway.

Siklander, S. (2023). Leikillisyyden rooli lasten musiikillisen kasvun tukemisessa [The role of playfulness in children’s musical development]. Invited keynote talk Mukaan! VI Valtakunnalliset musiikkikasvatuspäivät, Rovaniemi, Finland.

Siklander, S., Kangas, M., Hurme, T-R., & Melasalmi, A. (2023). Pre-service teachers’ playfulness and agency: Implications to the working life. EARLI2023, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Siklander, S., Wang, L., Moilanen, J.H., Melasalmi, A, Hurme, T-R. (2023). Relation of play and playfulness with children’s and teachers’ well-being. JoLii conference, Helsinki, Finland.

Siklander, S., Wang, L., Moilanen, J.H., Melasalmi, A., Hurme, T-R. (2023). Relevance of playfulness to childrens’ positive consequences: A systematic review. 3rd SEED conference, Zhuhai, China.

Sun, L., Ruokamo, H., Kangas, M., & Siklander, P. (2021). Effects of collaborative digital gameplay on students’ three dimensions of engagement in mathematics. 6th JoLii Conference: Education and sustainable development goals. Nov 15-17. Tampere University, Finland.

Siklander, P., Vuopala, E., & Martikainen, S. (2019). PLAYFUL MAKING IN EARLY EDUCATION CONTEXT: Triggers for acting and learning together. Eapril Conference 27.11.2019. Tartu, Estonia.