Archives for category: Designing for Playful Learning

Molecules in Motion – update

April 12, 2012 //
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All of the projects that I mentioned a couple posts ago are proceeding along well (the end of the semester is always a rough time because so many things are due, but I’m excited to see how all of the final products will end up). But I thought I might write a little bit more about how Molecules in Motion is doing.

A couple of weeks ago, our class headed to the New York Hall of Science to do some prototype-testing on middle school students. We were nervous at first, because come on, let’s be honest…kids can be honest. In some cases, brutally honest (trust me, I have a sister who is in middle-school, so I know this firsthand!).

As it turned out, the students were really nice and extremely helpful. They were amazing at articulating what it was that they liked about the game, and where they thought that it could use a little work (they suggested adding music that speeds up as body activity increases, more challenging elements, and a fun narrative). And rather than being brutal, they seemed to be trying hard to be nice to us, which was sweet.

One of the great parts of the whole experience for our group was seeing how much fun the students had when they played the game and actually let themselves get into it. They tried it in groups of twos and threes, but later, we could see the whole bunch of them grouped up together, talking excitedly about what they had liked, and we definitely heard our activity get mentioned (score!).

We took lots of photos and video but in the interests of the students I’m not posting any of it online. Instead I’ll leave a couple pictures of the different splash screens that we were considering. We ended up going with the more colorful one, but at this point in the process that could always change.

 

Next steps: implement some of the changes that we were advised on (specifically adding supplemental materials, making the game more challenging, and beefing up on the science that’s conveyed). Also need to start implementing the Kinect code. We have to do it in these next couple of weeks because soon we’ll be back at NySci, testing our final products.

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Categories Designing for Playful Learning, ITP, Projects

Projects Update

March 23, 2012 //
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There’s a lot of stuff going on over the next few weeks. There are a couple of different projects in the work, and since all of them are still in the prototype-y stage (and I don’t have very good pictures to show), I figured that I would just outline everything in one wonderful projects post. So here are the things I’m working on right now, and the respective classes that I am working on them for.

  • Solar Powered Camera Trap for Tools in Wildlife Observation. I’m collaborating with two other people to help design a camera trap that wildlife biologists in Ecuador can use to capture photos of monkeys. They already have some camera traps over there, but they face certain challenges. One of these challenges is a short battery life, which forces the biologists to break open the encasements regularly in order to replace the battery. Given the humidity of the rainforest and the inconvenience of that task, it would be incredibly helpful for them to have a power system that lasts a little longer. Our group’s idea is to use solar panels, even in the shade of the canopy level, to gain a trickle charge that can extend the battery life for at least another week. We are still researching and developing this.
  • Reflection Booth  for Recurring Concepts in Art.  I’m working with Zena Koo and we are designing an immersive environment in which participants will be invited to confront concepts around power, control, engagement, agency, and of course, reflection. I don’t want to give too much away at this point, but suffice to say that the project involves many mirrors. We’re currently beginning the fabrication part of this project.
  • Molecules in Motion  for Designing for Playful Learning. My group and I are creating a game for middle-school students that is designed to be both fun and informative….but actually, not just the way that all educational companies swear that they are. We’re making a game where students will be able control changes in state with their motion. Imagine a Kinect and some very large screens and you’re beginning to get the picture. Another interesting aspect of this project is that I’m working with all Steinhardt kids rather than other ITP people, which has helped give me a bit of perspective and exposed me to a different work-style and flow.

Another project I’ve got in the works is my portfolio, which I’m not yet linking to because though it’s online, it isn’t presentable quite yet. I’ve spent a lot of time on some of these projects and I’m excited to have an organized place to display all of them. As soon as that is up and running, I’ll link to it here.

IN CONCLUSION: good stuff coming up. Keep your eyes open.

 

Categories Designing for Playful Learning, Projects, Recurring Concepts in Art, Wildlife Tracking