Design and development of a smart storytelling toy

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• smart toy
• design principles
• development issue
• usability
• augmented environment
• mixed reality

Notes on contributors

Nuri Kara is a PhD candidate and research assistant at the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology in Middle East Technical University. His research interests focus on educational robotics, smart toys and game-based learning.

Cansu Cigdem Aydin is a PhD candidate at the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology in Middle East Technical University. She also works as an instructor in Atilim University. Her research interests focus on smart toys.

Kursat Cagiltay earned a PhD in Instructional technology from the Indiana University. He is an Associate Prof. at the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology. His research interests are human–computer interaction, electronic games and simulations, cognitive aspects of human learning system and issues about the design and development of information and instructional systems.