Project Update
Friday, April 24th, 2009To recap the week on this project… I started out the week re-evaluating whether I should do the project based on new cost projections for the hardware components. The question was really “is the quality worth the cost?”, and I think the answer I’ve come to is yes.
I met with a man named Kevin Klughart, who is a patent engineer. He’s one of the most well educated and intelligent men I’ve ever met. In addition to his law and engineering background, he also works with metal and wood. So I took my plans to him Wednesday night and we looked over them. We decided the project is worth doing and could be done for a reasonable price. He also helped me think through the design so as to make it better handle the internal heat produced by the computer and projector. So I’m proceeding.
The next task I tackled was research. I printed a number of articles from the databases here at the Art Institute, mostly about Education and Technology. The one article that stood out more than any was titled “The Right Stuff” and it was about a man who is using multimedia to engage special needs kids. Here’s an excerpt:
“Last year the reading levels of his fourth graders increased more than a grade and a half within one year, and behavioral issues have decreased by over one half.”
His website is http://mrfoote.com/. I plan on mining his “notable authors” list in the very near future.
Another article that I read talked about how using computers with small children didn’t always help, but actually hurt the child’s progress. However, as the child progressed in age, technology became more and more important. Specifically the article centered around learning to read, diagramming sentences, etc.
The last task I worked on this week was trying to come up with a specific application design for my project. So, my idea is to do at least 3 miniature vignettes – small programs that help kids learn. The idea I fleshed out this week is a game I’m calling “Castle Defender” at this point, but the title will probably change. It’s a Crossbows and Catapults meets Air Hockey meets Scorched Earth meets Pinball game. The idea of the game is to teach kids about angles of reflection (geometry) in a fun and interesting way.
Basically, as I envision it, the board would be set up similar to an air hockey table or soccer field. On the two ends would be two towers with a gun on the top. The gun launches a puck or ball toward the other person’s tower at some angle (determined by the player). Each tower would be a semicircle, centered along either edge of the “field” with 3 targets (1 facing the other person directly, the other two at 45 degree angles – something like this: \ __ / ). The goal is to hit the other person’s 3 targets before the other person hits yours. The only defense you have would be 3-4 walls that you can set up at the beginning of the game to defend your tower. The walls wouldn’t be huge, but big enough to deflect the ball off in a certain direction if it reached a certain space.
I’m torn between the idea of just having the ball bounce around until it hits either of the far walls, or something else. Also, to re-enforce the learning concept, each time the ball hit a wall I’m thinking of having the angle of reflection appear next to the hit, and possible going into slow motion for a split second (think the Matrix).
So that’s where I’m at. I have another idea for a different application, but it’s in the baby stages and will require more research.
Best,
Philip Likens
Texas based Interactive Artist and Web Design Instructor
