Rode, JA;
Barkhuus, L;
Ioannou, A;
(2024)
Exploring Gender, Computational Making and E-Textiles using the BBC micro:bit.
In: Mueller, FF and Kyburz, P and Williams, JR and Sas, C, (eds.)
CHI EA '24: Extended Abstracts of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): New York, NY, USA.
Preview |
Text
Rode_gender_and_e_textiles-8.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
We present a qualitative study of a Cypriot summer school where we used the BBC micro:bit to examine gender inclusivity in etextiles. We employed the Computational Making framework to analyze ethnographic data teaching 24 middle school students, aged 10-15. The study contrasts the challenges faced by students using the micro:bit with those from our team's previous similar e-textile studies using the LilyPad Arduino. We pinpoint the BBC micro:bit's limitations from an inclusive design perspective, underscoring the absence of gender-sensitive considerations in its hardware design. The paper presents a critique how upwards of £75 Million were spent deploying the micro:bit without proper user studies of gender equity and e-textiles. We propose design recommendations for future BBC micro:bit versions, advocating for integrating a gendersensitive participatory design approach to enhance the usability and engagement of computational and creative making with e-textiles for children of all genders.
Type: | Proceedings paper |
---|---|
Title: | Exploring Gender, Computational Making and E-Textiles using the BBC micro:bit |
Event: | CHI EA '24: 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems |
ISBN-13: | 9798400703317 |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1145/3613905.3644056 |
Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1145/3613905.3644056 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
Keywords: | E-textiles, BBC micro:bit, Computational Thinking, Computational Making, Children |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Culture, Communication and Media |
URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10193583 |
Archive Staff Only
![]() |
View Item |