StoryGrid: A Tangible Interface for Student Expression

TL;DR

StoryGrid is an interactive tangible interface that enhances student engagement and interpretation in literature classes by allowing manipulation of multimedia objects through physical tokens, fostering reflection and audience awareness.

Contribution

This paper introduces StoryGrid, a tangible multimedia interface designed for classroom use, with iterative design improvements based on user feedback to support student interpretation.

Findings

Enhanced student engagement with literature through physical interaction.

Improved reflection of multiple perspectives in student interpretations.

Increased attention to audience awareness during literary analysis.

Abstract

StorySpace is a classroom-based design and presentation system for interactive multimedia posters. Employing the technology base first used in Eden's PITAboard [2002], StorySpace allows groups of learners to manipulate projected multimedia objects on a horizontal board using a small collection of shared physical tokens. In this paper, we present the ongoing design history of StorySpace in the context of its introduction within an urban high school literature class. Interface modifications based on student and teacher feedback led on changes in token semantics and media importing methods. We describe how StorySpace features enriched students' interpretations of literature, with particular emphasis in two areas: (1) attention to audience, and (2) reflection of multiple perspectives.