The Design Space of Tangible Interfaces for Computational Tinkerability

Tangible interfaces offer a powerful approach for engaging learners in computational experiences, fostering intuitive, collaborative, and constructionist-driven learning. This work explores the landscape of tangible interfaces for computational tinkering – tools and interfaces that immerse learners in computational learning in a playful and open-ended format. We surveyed and analyzed 33 research projects to highlight the contexts they engage learners with their use of tangible interaction (tangibility) and the open-endedness or expressivity offered by the interfaces. Based on our survey, we develop a design space of tangible computational tinkering interfaces. Our findings (1) showcase the diversity of learning goals and creative opportunities in tinkering interfaces, (2) set forth a taxonomy of tangible interaction they utilize and (3) define a spectrum to examine the tinkerability of such interfaces. This design space provides insights for researchers, designers, and educators to explore the landscape of tangible, open-ended learning experiences and inform their future development.