Computer technologies are changing the way we play, learn, and work. In this course we will focus on the experiences computing technologies afford children and how these experiences might influence development. We will draw on socio-cultural theories of development as a conceptual framework for understanding how computing technologies interact with the social ecology of the child and how children actively use technologies to meet their own goals. Our readings are drawn from empirical journals, web publications, and books. The content of the course is organized around the broad domains of cognitive and social development. Within each topic we will focus on specific examples of technology enhanced toys or environments that are plausibly linked to some aspect of development. For each example we will consider salient developmental issues of the user, currently available designed technologies, and design processes of those who are creating for children. We will also focus on the controversies that have been raised as researchers, parents, teachers, and policy makers consider the impact that computing may have on human interaction and experience. Course work will include an interview assignment and a collaborative design project in which you will envision and justify a product, tool, toy, or environment based on developmental research.
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