Week 3 Progress

These were our goals for this week:

Start fabrication process

• Meet this week to build simple circuits

• Revise materials list

Research how to write children's stories for different age groups

• Which words are appropriate for each age group

• Length/complexity of story based on age group

Complete CITI certification for future user testing

Conduct HX testing with Percy's nieces

• Determine if story and illustrations are appropriate

• Revise if needed

Ideate on interactions based on story

Ideation of Interactions

Last Friday I met with Percy to start ideating on interactions since we had the full story. We went page-by-page, brainstorming ways to bring the story to life with interactions. Some examples of interactions that we thought of include completing a social media comment with insertable words, and having a neopixel LED strip flash different colors on the page for Willie's birthday party. We tried not to repeat any interactions and give each page a unique interaction. Some pages do not have interactions, in which these pages focus more on transitioning and advancing the story.

Writing Children's Stories Research

I researched and found some sites that help clarify the topics of writing vocabulary words that are appropriate for children of each age group. There were also websites that helped to point out the types of books that each age group frequently read, ranging from picture books for ages 5 and under, to a mix of picture books and chapter books starting at age 6 to 9, and more advanced books from ages 12 and up.

Resources for writing children's stories for different age groups:

• Understanding children's books age groups.

• Choosing the Words for a Children's Book - The Inquisitive Inkpot

• The Age Levels for Children's Books You Should Know - Journey to Kidlit

• Vocabulary words for 1st through 12th graders Reading | GreatSchools.org

• English Vocabulary Profile

CITI Certification

On my end, I still have a valid CITI certificate from a few years back that will allow me to conduct user tests with our physical prototypes.

Fabrication Practice

So far I've tried to practice fabricating a pop-up page with a simple paper circuit. It wasn't very easy working with copper tape on a 3D surface, and the LED light that I installed didn't light up. I plan to bring my prototype to our meeting with Ruhan tomorrow to get some pointers.

HX Testing Round 1

These were the results of the first round of HX testing we did, which was to interview children aged 7 and 10 about the story and the illustrations so far:

Story:

• Was the story easy to read? Were there any parts or words that you had trouble understanding?

  • Angelina: Easy to read, no troubles.

• Do you feel that the story was too long or too short?

  • Angelina: Good length. Kept her attention.

• Did you enjoy the story? Why or why not?

  • Angelina & Zoey: Liked it. Enjoyed all the characters.

• What was the message of the story? Do you think Willie did the right things to convince Bucky to be his friend?

  • Angelina & Zoey: Treat people how you wanna be treated.

• What would you do in Willie's place if someone like Bucky was being mean to you?

  • Angelina & Zoey: Tell somebody (friends, parents, almost anyone)

• Do you like Willie? Is there anything you wish was different about him?

  • Angelina & Zoey: Both enjoyed Willie. Felt that his character was easily relatable.

Illustrations:

• How do you feel about the characters?

  • Is there anything you would change or add?

    • Angelina & Zoey: No changes! Really enjoyed the characters and felt they brought the story together.

Key takeaways were that the age group of 7 and under seems to be too young for a child to read this story on their own, however the children seemed to like the story and illlustrations as they currently are and don't see a need to change anything.