Capacitive sensing tangibles linked with 2D representations on tablets, were explored as a novel concept for teaching Oroo’ signs. The tangibles were constructed out of a baseplate with touch points topped with the Oroo’ sign made out of clay and natural products. Their sole function programmed was to initialize the signs on a tablet for further manipulation of the 2-dimensional digital representations of complex messages.

The tangible-tablet tool was evaluated as a collaborative learning tool in the village where 6 family groups, consisting of respectively an Oroo’ conversant parent and a child engaged with the tool.

Research Outcomes

• Plimmer, B., He, L., Zaman, T., Karunanayaka, K., Yeo, A.W., Jengan, G., Blagojevic, R., Yi-Luen, E.D. (2015). New Interaction Tools For Preserving an Old Language. In: Conference 33rd Annual ACM conference on Human factors in Computing Systems (CHI) ACM, (2015)

Award

• SIGCHI Best of CHI Honorable Mention Award : among the top 5% of all submission to CHI 2015

Project Team

• Beryl Plimmer (University of Auckland,  Auckland, New Zealand)
• Liang He, Kasun Karunanayaka and Ellen Yi-Luen Do (National University Singapore)
• Tariq Zaman, Alvin W. Yeo (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia)
• Garen Jengan (Long Lamai Community)