Beeping socks and chirping arm bands: wearables that foster free play

• Published in: Computer (Long Beach, Calif.)
• Main Authors: Rosales, Andrea, Sayago, Sergio, Blat, Josep
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 2015
• Subjects: Education; Elementary school education; User centered design; Wearable computing
• ISSN: 0018-9162
• DOI: 10.1109/MC.2015.168

Three playful wearable accessories incorporate design principles that promote individuality, natural interaction, ubiquity, and intimacy to encourage spontaneous open-ended social interaction in school-age children. The Web extra at https://youtu.be/LBBe8iDeFrs demonstrates Wearable Sound, an accessory that transforms your movements into sounds. You can play the sound of a bird by moving your arms, the sound of bubbles while walking, or create your personal combination. You only have to wear the sensor, choose a sound, and use all your creativity to play!