TY - JOUR
T1 - Designing an educational toy for Japanese language learning
T2 - Exploring multidisciplinary and cross-cultural research in design and linguistics
AU - Montana-Hoyos, Carlos Alberto
AU - Kinoshita, Yuko
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Common Ground Research Networks, Carlos Alberto Montana-Hoyos, Yuko Kinoshita, All Rights Reserved.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - This article presents a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural project, merging design research and linguistics research to develop an educational toy for learning Japanese language targeted to Australian school learners. We explain in detail the linguistic content, the rationales and design process; and report on initial findings from user testing. In summary: the final outcome of the research project, a toy to teach Japanese, focuses on verbal conjugations. We designed and produced a set of Lego-like assembly blocks, with which learners play to assemble and dismantle meaningful linguistic structures: verbal phrases. The main premise is that physical assembly of building blocks can encourage an understanding of grammatical structures, while providing sensory stimulation. Being a toy, users' enjoyment was a significant design goal. A gender-neutral and friendly appearance was sought. To enhance Japanese cultural learning, the overall design of the toy (including parts and graphics) aimed to incorporate Japanese cultural elements and aesthetics.
AB - This article presents a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural project, merging design research and linguistics research to develop an educational toy for learning Japanese language targeted to Australian school learners. We explain in detail the linguistic content, the rationales and design process; and report on initial findings from user testing. In summary: the final outcome of the research project, a toy to teach Japanese, focuses on verbal conjugations. We designed and produced a set of Lego-like assembly blocks, with which learners play to assemble and dismantle meaningful linguistic structures: verbal phrases. The main premise is that physical assembly of building blocks can encourage an understanding of grammatical structures, while providing sensory stimulation. Being a toy, users' enjoyment was a significant design goal. A gender-neutral and friendly appearance was sought. To enhance Japanese cultural learning, the overall design of the toy (including parts and graphics) aimed to incorporate Japanese cultural elements and aesthetics.
KW - Cross-cultural Design
KW - Education
KW - Graphic Design
KW - Industrial Design
KW - Japanese Language
KW - Linguistics
KW - Multidisciplinary Design
KW - Toys Play
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85056887852&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.18848/2325-1328/CGP/v12i01/17-33
DO - 10.18848/2325-1328/CGP/v12i01/17-33
M3 - Article
SN - 2325-1328
VL - 12
SP - 17
EP - 33
JO - International Journal of Design in Society
JF - International Journal of Design in Society
IS - 1
ER -