Emerging interactive technology is rapidly transforming the ways in which we work, play, communicate, and learn. Research in tangible interaction attempts to blur the line between digital technology and the broader physical, social, and cultural worlds within which computer use is situated. At the TIDAL lab, we are exploring the use of tangible interaction to create innovative learning experiences. We take a cautious but optimistic stance towards technology. To this end, our work tightly couples theoretically informed learning research with iterative design processes.
Projects
Life on Earth ProjectMuseums, evolution, and multi-touch tabletops! NSF DRL-1010889 |
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NetTangoNetTango, an agent-based modeling environment designed for elementary school students to use on a multi-touch tabletop surface. NetTango is based on the popular agent-based modeling environment called NetLogo developed by the Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling at Northwestern University. The NetTango project seeks to broaden the appeal and accessibility of NetLogo for a younger audience. |
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Conservation KidsConservation Kids is a research and design initiative with the goal of helping families reduce wasteful consumption of domestic resources such as water, electricity, and natural gas. Two research questions drive this work: First, how can we design technology to encourage entire families, children as well as adults, to become meaningful and active participants in the management of household resource consumption? And second, how can we design interactive systems that engage families in inquiry-based learning around concepts of consumption and sustainability? |
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Tern Tangible Programming SystemTern is a tangible computer language designed to provide a painless introduction to computer programming for children. Tern is featured in a permanent exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science called Robot Park. It is also being used for the Tangible Kindergarten project at Tufts University (NSF Grant No. DRL-0735657). To create programs with Tern, you don’t use a mouse or keyboard. Instead, you create physical computer programs using interlocking wooden blocks that represent actions for a robot to perform. |
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Computational Thinking Sticker Books |
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Robot Park ExhibitRobot Park is a permanent exhibit on robotics and computer programming at the Boston Museum of Science that features the Tern tangible programming language. The exhibit was deployed in October 2007 and was visited by approximately 20,000 people in its first year. |
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Visualizing Biodiversity with Voronoi Treemaps |
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