Team

Dr. Alissa N. Antle (PI, research and design lead)
Maureen Hoskyn (Education/SFU)

Graduate students:
Emily Cramer
Min Fan
Shubhra Sarker

Other Media

PhonoBlocks (YouTube)

ACM CHI Lites Talk

Learn more here

Project Summary

PhonoBlocks is a custom tangible-touch laptop reading application. The tangible letters have embedded dynamic colours that draw children’s attention to the moment when the addition of letters changes word sounds. Tangible letters also enabled letter tracing and epistemic strategies that simplified learning to read and spell.

Research Objectives

Explore how to design and evaluate a tangible multimodal reading system for children at-risk for dyslexia and other English language learners.

Social Impact Goals

Evidence that a tangible letter interface to a tablet reading application can enable children, aged 6-7 with reading and spelling challenges, to learn the alphabetic principle more effectively and efficiently with less instructor intervention.

Keywords

Tangible computing, dyslexia, children, design for vulnerable populations, literacy, reading, spelling, English language learners (ELL), field studies.

Technology

3D laser cut acrylic, Android tablet, custom electronics, Unity, Processing, Android and Apple tablets.

Community Partners

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School (North Vancouver), Montecito Elementary School (Burnaby) and Brandon Curr (Burnaby School Board).

Funders

SSHRC Insight

Awards

ACM CHI’ 17 Top 5% Award