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Bettina Conradi, Verena Lerch, Martin Hommer, Robert Kowalski, Ioanna Vletsou, Heinrich Hussmann
Flow of Electrons: An Augmented Workspace for Learning Physical Computing Experientially
In Proceedings of the Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces Conference (ITS 2011), Kobe, Japan, Nov. 2011

Physical computing empowers people to design and customize electronic hardware tailored to their individual needs. This often involves tinkering with components connections, but due to the intangible nature of electricity, this can be difficult, especially for novices. We use a multistage design process to design, build and evaluate a physical prototyping workspace for novices to learn about real physical computing hardware. The workspace consists of a horizontal surface that tracks physical components like sensors, actuators, and microcontroller boards and augments them with additional digital information in situ. By digitally exploring various means of connecting components, users can experientially learn how to build a functioning circuit and then transition directly to building it physically. In a user study, we found that this system motivates learners by encouraging them and building a sense of competence, while also providing a stimulating experience.