Design for learning through play. An exploratory study on Chinese perspective

Abstract

This work focuses on the role of design for novel edutainment robots for children. The theme is addressed by adopting a holistic approach, aimed at framing the complexity of a phenomenon that is changing the children educational and play habits. The main aspects of this phenomenon were further investigated through a preliminary study carried out in Beijing, China. The study consisted in a questionnaire and forms about children’s habits submitted to parents, and in hands-on activities supported by probes for children. The results of the questionnaire provided information that help to get a better understanding of the relation between education and play in children’s life that can be used as basis for developing new design scenarios. The activities with children, instead, allowed to collect inspirational data and to identify design principles that could be adopted as drivers in the development of novel robotic products for children.