Alice (alice.org)

• Innovative block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games in 3D.

• Made specifically for kids.

• Designed to teach logical and computational thinking skills, fundamental principles of programming and to be a first exposure to object-oriented programming.

Alice is being used by educators at middle schools and some younger levels throughout the high school level. The program’s creative approach to programming invites students to learn the basics of code through a more visually engaging workflow.

I really like that Alice is a free program that any school with any limited amount of resources can access and provide to its students. Its not only targeting privileged students and schools.

Alice actually works! Some studies quoted on their website found that Alice had a “measurable positive effect” on student’s retention of computer science education, and also helped at-risk students improve their skillsets.  

 Augmented Reality 

• Engages students with material in new ways

• Helps the instructors by establishing a multi-way dialogue with class and the technology.

• Malleable- can adapt to a classroom’s needs. 

• I like the way in which Augmented Reality combines traditional elements used in educating, and re-invents them with technology to yield new forms of both passive and active interaction. 

GoldieBlox

• Interactive app-based game that encourages children to get acquainted with engineering skills and logical thinking.

• Marketed specifically towards young girls.

• Aims to help bridge the gender gap in the tech industry.

• Uses app-based interactivity to allow users to animate their own projects, then project them onto a real “movie machine.”

• This technology showcases something I myself would like to pursue, which is the idea of using technology that kids are already using anyways (i.e. iPads ) to encourage them to learn something new, but with certain social issues in mind. 

Frost Science Museum 

• This Miami Museum is geared towards the “modern child”- It’s approach to teaching visitors about various subjects was to include new technology and media in order to create interactive exhibits that children would find compelling and educational.

• They have a health awareness section that uses app-like interfaces to have visitors take a test and find out how good their eating habits are. 

• They use projectors and other machines to teach children about a myriad of topics, including aviation, optics, space, and environmental conservation.

• I think this tech-heavy, but also child-geared approach is something I myself would follow when developing a possible prototype.