THE EXPERIENTIAL QUALITIES OF KINAESTHETIC PROGRAMMING

Abstract: Moving the body in physical space with both a conscious and a subconscious awareness on the position of the limbs is in itself an engaging experience. This element of engagement has been one of the core reasons for turning to movement based technologies and interactions in the field of education. Using these technologies kids learn complex topics of maths and science at an improved rate of understand. However, one such activity or a subject where there is an absence of these movement based tools is Programming. Kids still use traditional interface tools such as a mouse and a computer to learn and write code.This is a detailed case study of a 10 week design process developing and studying the interactions with a programming environment based on whole body movement for children. Through a Research through design approach, this study borrows key elements from existing visual and tangible programming tools, concepts of Kinesthetic interactions and child centric design. The investigation is further guided by the methodologies primarily influenced by the principles of Kid Centered Design and the design by movement approach. The design process is characterized by progressive cycles of conceptual design, supported by prototyping and testing. The conceptual design is further evaluated through user studied where I identify key experiential qualities that are inherent to the kinesthetic approach to programming. The aim of this these is to provide these experiential qualities as starting points for further development of tools and technologies inspired by body movements