Day 6: Build a Better Book

After discovering the Build a Better Book project at the SxSwEDU Playground today I saw so many connections to the questions we are asking during our annual March Maker Madness series, that I knew I just had to share it.   

When I saw the description for this session, I  thought 'how are they doing to do all that in half an hour.'  

Build a Better Book: Engineering with Empathy

The Build a Better Book project engages youth Makers with a unique, authentic engineering challenge: the design and fabrication of accessible, interactive books for children who are blind or visually impaired. Sites use 3D printers, laser cutters, craft materials and other tools to create books that can be seen, felt and heard. We’ll play a game of Tactile Pictionary to identify key elements of effective tactile graphics and share with participants how they can contribute to this effort.

Stacey Forsyth and Kathryn Penzhover did not disappoint! 



This was the type of session that had most participants walking away saying "I'm so going to try this in my classroom".  

When we arrived at the SxSwEDU playground for this session the tables were  filled with examples of student work, folders, and a blindfold. 










Stacey and Kathryn shared with us many of examples of HOW they work with teachers and students to create tactile games and books for children who are blind or visually impaired  using  a variety of maker materials and tools. 

Check out their Design Library filled with examples of  tactile Books, Games, and Graphics.


Then they let us try ourselves by engaging us in a game of Tactile Pictionary. 
Our instructions were to find a partner.  One of us wore a blindfold while the other was challenged to make a tactile representation of a word displayed on the screen using the folder and wikki stix.  

We then repeated the game so that each of us could play both roles. 


They proceeded to give us tips by describing the key elements of tactile graphics and tips about the types of maker materials and processes that worked best.  I was surprised to learn that 3D printers are not great at printing braille.  I would have never thought that the surface they create is not a pleasant feeling for those reading braille.  However 3D printing tactile objects can definitely supplement the experience of reading and being read to, especially with so many children's books being picture books.  We also learned that that tactile books benefitted sensory seeking children as well as visually impaired children.  

You can find out more about this project from the University of Colorado Boulder at https://www.colorado.edu/project/bbb/



or their Resource page filled with Lesson Plans and Project Guidelines.

or better yet, watch and listen to them describe their WHY in this video.