Promoting Storytelling, Computational Thinking, and Spatial Reasoning Through U-Design: A Design Case of a Cyber-Physical Tool

• In Event: Design, Development, and Evaluation of Technology-Rich Tools

Abstract

This design case describes the design judgments that fostered the development of CyberPLAYce, a modular, interactive learning tool that enables elementary-aged children to engage in storytelling, computational thinking, and spatial reasoning. With iterations spanning five years and developed by an interdisciplinary team that includes architecture, engineering, and educational faculty and university students, the CyberPLAYce tool is being developed to a room-scale size with elementary students and classroom teachers acting as co-designers during the 2021-2022 academic year. This design case provides a rich description of how the current iteration, called U-Design, came into being and is intended to provide precedent to scholars and designers of learning experiences interested in interactive learning tools and environments.

Authors

• Tiffany Anne Roman, Kennesaw State University

• Arash Soleimani, Kennesaw State University

• William Wisener, Kennesaw State University