Are tangibles more fun?: comparing children's enjoyment and engagement using physical, graphical and tangible user interfaces

  • Authors:

  • Lesley Xie;Alissa N. Antle;Nima Motamedi

  • Affiliations:

  • Simon Fraser University, Surrey, B.C., Canada;Simon Fraser University, Surrey, B.C., Canada;Simon Fraser University, Surrey, B.C., Canada

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on Tangible and embedded interaction
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of an exploratory comparative study in which we investigated the relationship between interface style and school-aged children's enjoyment and engagement while doing puzzles. Pairs of participants played with a jigsaw puzzle that was implemented using three different interface styles: physical (traditional), graphical and tangible. In order to investigate interactional differences between the three interface styles, we recorded subjective ratings of enjoyment, three related subscales, measured times and counts of behavioral based indications of engagement. Qualitative analysis based on observational notes and audio responses to open interview questions helped contextualize the quantitative findings and provided key insights into interactional differences not apparent in the quantitative findings. We summarize our main findings and discuss the design implications for tangible user interfaces.