kinü :
Reimagining Play
Current playgrounds have become generic and does little to encourage use. Can playgrounds offer more for those who use it? Could play bring more to the table by providing learning as well as fun?
kinü is a modular kids furniture set that supports the gamification of programming through play.
14 wk project, 2017
Programming can teach us less tangible subjects that will benefit us increased success in our academic and daily lives.
Logical Thinking
Strategic Thinking
Efficiency
If programming is so great, why do
only 1 in 10 K-12 schools* offer it?
*Sources: College Board, Bureau of Labor Statistics, NSF, 2016
Most schools follow a nationwide standard curriculum that have not been updated in years. They also lack the teachers willing to teach such programs because they don’t have backgrounds in them. Learning often begins in college
When concepts are completely novel
they are difficult to learn and can cause a lot of misconceptions.
Current Scenario
Introduction to coding often happens in college, barrier of entry is high and can be very difficult for beginners.
Primary Research
To learn more on the pitfalls and difficulties in learning and teaching, I started a Mechatronics club to teach my peers hands on programming using arduino and existing children's games
Key insights
1. Monkey see, monkey do doesn’t work in learning. They must get to the “solve” themselves
Example code made sense when explained line per line, but change it a little and it confuses those who are learning it for the very first time.
2. Excitable hands on projects are more motivational to continue
Small, visual accomplishments help motivate continuation of projects and learning. Those that come back to club are those that are more hands on
3. Gamified learning and lack of “code” allowed ease of understanding
From playing modified simple games such as simon says, tag, twister, etc; allowed them to quickly learn without them realizing
4. Associating pictures and movement to specific codes make it more tangible
Turning language parameters into game rules allowed them to quickly grasp the concepts better and faster.
What if we could create a gamified, hands on,
learning concept that does not require the
use of screens and ultimately create a low barrier entry into the world of programming
Future Scenario with kinü in the world
After having experience in gamified learning concepts, when learning the actual language, coding is no longer novel and should be easier to learn.
Kinü blends in to the environment when unused
Gamified learning and lack of screens lowers barrier of entry
When not for play kinü can be used as an activity desk
A storage compartment for various kinü accessories (not pictured) or miscellaneous stationery
Concept Development and User Testing
