interface experience. rutvika gupta
01
tile.
collaborating with technology. how can public libraries in today’s digital age become more interactive and encourage collaboration among children of various ages?
DID YOU KNOW? Children in traditional libraries are isolated and often engage in parallel playing, hampering their ability to collaborate and learn. Technology has the ability to bridge these barriers, but is rarely used in the setting of public libraries.
TYPES OF INTERACTION
Person to Person (physical space)
Person to Tablet (virtual space)
Person to Person (virtual space)
public libraries and issues? 1
Segregation : Current libraries are too segregated, mostly by gender and age.
2
Parallel Playing : This is the system where children are seen to exist in the same place, mostly right next to each other, but are not seen to collaborate or play together.
3
Conventional Barriers : Research shows that conventional educational media using a screen, mouse and keyboard do not support concurrent interaction or multi-user activities.
WHY PLAY? Play (or some available free time in the case of older children and adolescents) is essential to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.’ -American Academy of Pediatricians
playful learning. Playful learning is when children develop their imagination and physical, cognitive and emotional strengths.*
WHY IMPLEMENT TABLETS
TRAINS CHILDREN IN TECHNOLOGY
SIMPLIFIES COMPLEX TASKS
ALLOWS MORE PERSONALIZATION
*In the last two decades, children have lost 8 hours of free play per week.
tile.
collaborative tablet experience A tablet aimed to integrate itself into public libraries, encouraging collaboration and innovation in children.
curiosity.creativity.collaboration. Flat seamless surface that allows unlimited exploration, creativity and fun!
Breaking free from traditional charging ports, every Tile comes with a unique charging mat. Simply place the Tile on the mat, and let the creation begin.
The tablet allows two or more children to connect their respective Tiles together to complete various team-oriented educational tasks in a fun and interactive manner. The interface itself is similar to existing interfaces, with the hope of promoting associative learning.
There are various apps that promote playful learning, such as puzzles, books, building blocks, and even the option to start a virtual band! These collaborations are tracked with an integrated rewards system, providing incentive to participate.
HOW?
Each Tile has four magnet strips on each of its sides, which then allow it to get connected to other Tiles. This seamless connection then allows for a much larger interface.
myChild For parents who wish to have the flexibility to move around the library on their own, this app allows for them to know the exact location of their child, as well as his or her current activities. Parents are also able to send messages directly to the tablet, via this app.
T EST ING.
recognition
what’s the result?
willingness
excitement
interaction
I tested Tile with a six-year old using paper prototypes, to gauge his reactions and levels of excitement. Initially apprehensive of what exactly to do, he then began asking questions about how to work various aspects, and even became excited to really ‘start a band!’
02
agora involving the local community. how can the community of champaign become more involved with the various non-profits in and around it?
agora
promoting local collaboration
THE PROBLEM
There is a clear disconnection between the local community and it ’s surround non-profit organizations, especially in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. How can we involve the community more, and make them more aware of the work that non-profits are doing?
THE MARKET
communities around the size of 10,000 to 250,000 people initial launch : the champaign-urbana locale
THE FEATURES
1. tile-based portal 2. non-profit profiles 3. blog space 4. events calendar