Design and development of a smart storytelling toy

Because computers generally make children passive listeners, new technological devices need to support children's storytelling activities. This article introduces the StoryTech, a smart toy that includes a virtual space comprised of computer-based graphics and characters as well as a real space...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Interactive learning environments 2014-05, Vol.22 (3), p.288-297
Main Authors: Kara, Nuri, Aydin, Cansu Cigdem, Cagiltay, Kursat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Differences
Auditory Stimuli
augmented environment
Cartoons
Computers
Constructivism (Learning)
Design
design principles
development issue
Educational Technology
Interaction
Interactive learning
Kindergarten
mixed reality
Simulated Environment
smart toy
Story Telling
Technology Uses in Education
Toys
Usability
Young Children
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Summary:Because computers generally make children passive listeners, new technological devices need to support children's storytelling activities. This article introduces the StoryTech, a smart toy that includes a virtual space comprised of computer-based graphics and characters as well as a real space that involves stuffed animals, background cards and a receiver panel. When children put real objects on the receiver panel, the computer displays related backgrounds and characters. Through this flexible context, children are expected to tell a story about what they see on the screen. The aim of this article is to present the development period of the StoryTech and to provide design principles for smart toy technologies based on the usability study. The article focuses on attributes of new technology and the significance of supporting storytelling activities to find the best combination of and moderation between real and virtual spaces.
ISSN:1049-4820
1744-5191
DOI:10.1080/10494820.2011.649767