Posts published in January, 2016

Assignment 1

URL: http://www.funbrain.com/ Goal : funbrain is a K-8 targeted educational game sight. Funbrain.com Review Funbrain.com boasts that they are the #1 website for educational games for children K-8. I guess my question to them would be, #1 in what? Funbrain is divided into four distinct sections: “math games” which predictably has links to games involving… Read more Assignment 1

Black et al- Reading Response

There was a lot that I found chilling in this weeks readings. The Black et al paper and the Kahn et al paper in particular brought to light some disturbing facts and theories. It was disheartening to read the Black et al paper and seeing that even though politically and theoretically we have achieved gender… Read more Black et al- Reading Response

Assignment 1—Shelley Williamson

Stardoll   Description: Stardoll functions like an online version of paper dolls, where users can customize outfits, go shopping, and make friends within the message board community. URL: http://www.stardoll.com/ Objective: It seems as if Stardoll’s sole objective is to entice users to buy its virtual clothing, hair products, accessories, etc. Target age: 7+   Evaluation:… Read more Assignment 1—Shelley Williamson

Week 4 Response

I am thrilled to read about the potential of textile construction kits to provide a pathway for girls into computation. However, I wonder if such kits perpetuate a double standard about the types of toys that society deems suitable for girls. In other words, are we perpetuating a cycle that pigeonholes girls in traditionally female… Read more Week 4 Response

Week 4: Black et al 2014 Response

“The differences between these two text samples are striking, particularly in the indicators of lexical density, 5.7 words per sentence for Barbie Girls versus 14.61 for Xtractaurs, and grade level, 1.67 and 9.63, respectively.”     After reading this quote, I could feel frustration bubbling through my body. Why is it that today, in a world through which women should be perceived… Read more Week 4: Black et al 2014 Response

Week 4 Response

I was uncomfortable with Pellegrini and Jones’ conclusion that “Children play longer and in more complex ways when they interact in same-gender groups and with gender-preferred toys,” because when I think of gender-preferred toys I think of games like Barbie Girls. This causes me to wonder – what is the deciding factor for a toy’s… Read more Week 4 Response

Week 4 Discussion - Juan G

Is there any research on the language development of an only child vs a child with multiple siblings? As I am reading about how children demonstrate cooperation, not aggression, with children with whom they meet repeatedly, I wonder if it is the same case for siblings. I remember fighting with my siblings all the time… Read more Week 4 Discussion - Juan G

Technology Review and Redesign - Hello Barbie

I am reviewing Hello Barbie because we have had some conversations about her in class and I already had some insider knowledge about it having interned at Toy Talk last quarter. I thought it might be useful to share this information because it’s a good example of how the limits of technology inform design, sometimes in… Read more Technology Review and Redesign - Hello Barbie

"Her," Robots, and Child Development

What I found particularly interesting and terrifying about the piece on Robots and Child Development is how often we are blind to the potential detrimental effects of technology and how easily we write them off. When I first was reading the article I wasn’t convinced. I think from a technological point of view the possibility… Read more "Her," Robots, and Child Development

Tech Review and Redesign: Sushi Monster

Sushi Monster iPhone app Aimed at ages 9-11, according to the app store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sushi-monster/id512651258?mt=8 Aimed at teaching rapid math facts by having the user construct sums and products from constituent numbers PDF: Marc Campasano – Assignment 1 (Sushi Monster) I looked at the iPhone app Sushi Monster by Scholastic. Sushi Monster is intended to teach addition… Read more Tech Review and Redesign: Sushi Monster