Title :
ToddlePuff: An Interactive Tangible and Spatial Interface
Author_Institution :
Interactive Telecommun. Program, New York Univ., New York, NY
Abstract :
ToddlePuff is a multi-sensor inflated interface that acts as a game controller for toddlers. ToddlePuff surrounds the child and encourages full body motion. It develops cognitive and sensory-motor skills while teaching symbolic and sequential thinking. It improves speed, spatial orientation and coordination. ToddlePuff incorporates multiple proximity sensors that act as controllers for the game. An animated childrenpsilas story is displayed on a screen and told through the speakers. Images of characters from the story are placed on different locations inside the interface. When a character blinks on the screen, the child needs to find the matching image on the surrounding inflated walls and touch it to resume the story. An informal study shows that children responded positively to the concept of spatial interface. They played inside it for a length of time and improved their performance throughout the learning process.
Keywords :
computer aided instruction; computer games; interactive devices; user interfaces; ToddlePuff; game controller; interactive tangible; learning process; multisensor inflated interface; sensory-motor skills; spatial interface; Animation; Education; Educational programs; Intelligent sensors; Microcontrollers; Pediatrics; Resumes; Rhythm; Telecommunication control; Universal Serial Bus; ToddlePuff; animation; controller; coordination; development; game; inflated; interface; learning; motion; multi-sensor; orientation; screen; sensors; surrounding; symbolic; toddlers;
Conference_Titel :
Digital Games and Intelligent Toys Based Education, 2008 Second IEEE International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Banff, BC
Print_ISBN :
978-0-7695-3409-1
DOI :
10.1109/DIGITEL.2008.44