Children as Design Partners: An Introduction
Introduction
Making technology for kids without working directly with them,
"is like making clothes for someone you don’t know the size of."
- Thomas
At the Human Computer Interaction Lab at the University of Maryland we believe that children should have a voice in making new technology for kids. Children's ideas need to be heard throughout the entire technology design process. Therefore, in 1998 we began a unique technology design team. Seven children, ages seven to eleven, join with researchers from computer science, education, art, robotics, and other disciplines, twice a week. Together we have become an intergenerational, interdisciplinary design team. The team pursues projects, writes papers and creates new technologies.
We have a chance to change technology, but more importantly we have a chance to change the life of a child. Every time a new technology enables a child to do something they never dreamed of, there are new possibilities for the future.
Dr. Allison Druin
Professor, College of Information Studies
Children are looking at a low tech prototype of a "classroom of the future". |
On the left is a sketch of a digital library and on the right children are taking notes. |
Current Kidsteam Kids
 Aviva |
 Cianna |
 Emerson |
 Emma |
 Gannon |
 Izzy |
 Miguel |
