Using your senses in language education
StoryBOX (Spelfabriek) facilitates game-based language learning. Pupils will learn to express themselves by physically linking words and concepts to their everyday lives.
Research shows that, in Dutch elementary schools, the results of language education are disappointing. In particular non-technical aspects, such as comprehension, are hard to teach. Waag Society’s Pilot Education StoryBOX focuses on contextual language education. StoryBOX consists of tangible, technologically enhanced objects that facilitate learning by playing. This engages pupils to explore language, in an educational format that bridges formal and informal learning. StoryBOX stimulates the use of the senses in language education. It enables those who teach group three of Dutch elementary schools to create a flexible, physical environment in which pupils explore language using technologically enhanced interactive objects.
Interactive blocks
StoryBOX creates an accessible and intuitive gaming environment for learning language and meaning. Gaming environments provide a safe and exciting place to experiment and explore the world. By playing games, cognitive and behavioral processes are being practiced, such as problem solving, vocabulary development and social skills.
StoryBOX adds value for both teachers and pupils, by providing them with innovative tools. Pupils will connect words and concepts to their everyday lives, using blocks enhanced with LED displays, sensors, small cameras or recorders and other electronics.
Prototyping
Prototyping fulfils an important role in the design process. By quickly materializing concepts, new ideas are generated and tested. Prototyping StoryBOX will result in a fully functioning StoryBOX prototype that will be evaluated in classrooms.
GATE
This research is being supported by the GATE project, funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Netherlands ICT Research and Innovation Authority (ICT Regie).