Assignment #3

Motivation for our design:
We wanted to create a tangible system to help kids understand the concept of multiplication. The system had to be intuitive, so the kids don't need to read a manual to use it.

Alternative designs our team has considered:
1) A system that uses dices to represent multiplication. The dices can be combined on a surface. The rows represent multiplier and the columns represent multiplicand. However, this design does not require any computation (computer) at all.

2) A system that uses a grid, marbles, and LEDs to represent multiplication. The first column controls multiplier and the first row controls multiplicand. Once marbles are places in the first row and column, some LEDs light up to represent the result of multiplication. This design is intuitive to use, but the result of multiplication represented by marbles and LEDs may make some confusions.

Rational for developing our current design:
The system looks similar to a bubble gum machine, so children won't be intimidated by the system. The system has only a slider and a button. Thus, it is easy to use, and the outcome of the system is intuitive. Children can see, hear, feel the weight, and taste the concept of multiplication.

This blog is created for COMP15o-TUI (Tangible User Interfaces) class.