Short introduction

Looking into the latest technologies in Wi-fi (wireless fidelity) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification, where wireless technologies are now beginning to be used throughout entire cities via set up network systems, and RFID is used now in many industries, we wish to explore these uses further for the field of youth education.

We will be looking into designing a small portable device and interface used similarly to the tamagotchi, except to better education purposes for children in the ages of their primary schooling. 

Motivation

Our motivation behind the idea, looking back at many devices and toys that have been introduced in school have often been baned as they had become distractions in the class room, where the aim for our designed device will hope to be welcomed in the classroom as an education aid. 

Children in the class room are taught in various ways, from listening to teachers talk in there groups, to creative activities, to physical activities and excursions. But how much of that information is obtained and learnt at the end of the day is another thing. Depending on how interestingly and interactively the information is presented to them they will learn more or less. 

Methods of Research

We intend to research these topics through methods of field observation in educational places such as Museums where Children are taken to see new and interactive knowledge bases. These observational methods will be backed up by focus groups with children using designed paper prototypes alongside creative questionnaires which will ask them about there preferred designs and technology (toy) uses. 

Results

We expect that the results from our research in youth eduction through technology will be beneficial for both our disciplines of Communication and Multimedia design, being able to design or at least think about current technologies in new ways. The challenges of communicating to a younger generation and being able to design for them will also help us with future research projects.