Paul Marshall (Sussex)

Do tangible interfaces enhance learning?

Friday 18 May 2007 (week 5)

Conceptual work on tangible interfaces has focused primarily on the production of descriptive frameworks. While this work has been successful in mapping out a space of technical possibilities and providing a terminology to ground discussion, it provides little guidance on the cognitive or social effects of using one type of interface or another.

In this talk I will discuss my thesis work on learning with tangible interfaces, suggesting that more empirically grounded research is needed to guide development. I will first present an analytic framework of six perspectives, which describes latent trends and assumptions that might be used to motivate and guide this work, and make links with existing research in cognitive science and education. I will then describe a series of three experiments designed to explore one of the framework themes: the effects of using physical materials on learning.

The HCT seminars take place on Friday afternoons at 1.30pm and last for an hour. Speakers range from researchers at the cutting edge of their fields to practitioners in industry. The seminars are intended for a general audience interested in HCI; interested students, or researchers in other fields, are always welcome. They are an excellent way to learn more about recent trends, ideas and results in HCI, learning technologies and related fields. Refreshments will be available.

The venue for the Summer term will be in the Interact Lab (Arundel 223)