Siftables: Making the digital physical

An article by Darin Wagner    No Comments

A colleague sent me a link to this video from the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference in February.

Wow!

Siftables are small computers that can be manipulated like children’s block. When you move them, sort them, stack them, turn them, they interact with each other to do amazing things!

While watching the kids play with the “blocks” I couldn’t help thinking of my children and exciting technologies that will be a part of their generation. What an exciting time!

In reviewing some of the posts reacting to the video, there are a number of interesting ideas for proposed use in addition to what is demonstrated:

• early language development
• story development and sequencing
• programing
• systems simulations

I have to agree with one of the posts that was less enthusiastic about these devices with regard to children. They expressed a concern that children should be experiencing life rather than “virtually” experiencing life. I think this point has merit, but I balance it with all the other opportunities that technologies has offered.

Watch the video and share your thoughts!