Abstract
In existing modular toys, information is transmitted by invisible electrical signals, making it difficult to understand the information flow between modules. This study developed a modular toy, “Hikari-Tsumiki,” that visualizes the information flow between modules by light emission. For the development of the system, we set design guidelines based on the design principles of Scratch Jr and developed the actual system. The developed system has the following features: Visualize information flow using light, modules that can work even on their own, various module types, and a wooden appearance. We conducted an experiment to quantitatively evaluate the effect of visualization by light using the developed system. In the experiment, we conducted a function exploration task and a free trial task and compared the conditions with and without visualization by light. The experiment results showed that although understanding the function of each module was not promoted, the positive impression of the system was enhanced in some aspects in light condition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tsupros, N., Kohler, R., Hallinen, J.: STEM education: a project to identify the missing components. Intermed. Unit 1, 11–17 (2009)
Khine, M.S., Areepattamannil, S. (eds.): Steam Education-Theory and Practice. Springer, Cham (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04003-1
Heradio, R., et al.: Open-source hardware in education: a systematic mapping study. IEEE Access 6, 72094–72103 (2018)
Bdeir, A.: Electronics as material: littleBits. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Tangible and Embedded Interaction (TEI 2009), pp. 397–400 (2009)
Sphero, Inc. littleBits: Electronic Building Kits for Kids. https://sphero.com/pages/littlebits, Accessed 11 Feb 2022
Flannery, L.P., Silverman, B., Kazakoff, E.R., Bers, M.U., Bontá, P., Resnick, M.: Designing ScratchJr: support for early childhood learning through computer programming. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (IDC 2013), pp. 1–10 (2013)
Schweikardt, E.: Modular robotics studio. In: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Tangible and Embedded Interaction (TEI 2011), pp. 353–356 (2011)
Modular Robotics, Cubelets robot blocks - Modular Robotics. https://modrobotics.com/, Accessed 11 Feb 2022
Chan, J., Pondicherry, T., Blikstein, P.: LightUp: an augmented learning platform for electronics. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (IDC 2013), pp. 491–494 (2013)
Resnick, M., et al.: Scratch: programming for all. Commun. ACM 52(11), 60–67 (2009)
Ida, S., Yokoi, T., Yoshioka, K., Hasumi, T., Yamanaka, T.: Analysis of a subjective evaluation and brain activity during handwork and its virtual experience. Trans. Jpn. Soc. Kansei Eng. 13(3), 449–457 (2014). (in Japanese)
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by INNOvation program from The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Kawaguchi, I., Yamanaka, T. (2022). Hikari-Tsumiki: Modular Toy that Visualizes Information Flow by Light Emission. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Designing the Learner and Teacher Experience. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13328. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05657-4_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05657-4_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-05656-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-05657-4
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)