TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace Interactive Playground exhibit preview

By Sonya Davidson

digiPlaySpace has recently opened its doors to the third annual technology play ground for kids and families. Located at the TIFF Bell LightBox building in Toronto, this award-winning interactive hands-on exhibition offers kids of all ages the opportunity to explore and create with some of the world’s leading developers and international artists. Installations are designed with the child user in mind and often unveiled for the first time in Canada.

I’ve taken my kids to the digiPlaySpace each year and they are excited to see what’s new. We’re already scheduled to go back for the official Opening Night of the TIFF Kids Film Festival next week. But I’ve already had a chance to play and the technology is amazing!

There are many fun and interactive activities available for little hands. Learn about green-screen technology and dance with Elmo or play a game of SuperPong with others. Check out tech toys and race Sphero on the speedway or transform magnetic blocks into robots with no programming or wires with Cubelets. Paint with water on the graffiti wall and immerse yourself in an underwater environment.  You can even go against gravity with a cooperative game with Ibb and Obb.

TVO is at the TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace with activities like 3D scanning, gesture technology and robotics. One activity really caught my eye is the Virtual Chalkboard app.

I can see this being great for any home with little kids! I had the opportunity to chat with David Neumann, Manager of TVO’s IdeaShaker Innovation Lab about this concept.

How is TVO involved in this year's digiPlaySpace? The virtual chalkboard is pretty cool! 

TVO’s installation at TIFF digiPlaySpace this year is located in the Micro Makers Space. It celebrates maker culture, or hands-on learning, and learning by trial and error. In keeping with this theme, we wanted to introduce something kids could play with and experiment with to make something in a way they are not accustomed to.

So TVO developed the chalkboard app which uses gesture-control technology. Instead of using a mouse, the technology allows kids to move their fingers and hands in the air over a controller to draw images and manipulate artifacts on a screen.

I had briefly played with the installation "air painting" what else can it do? Any cool challenges? 

TVO’s chalkboard app can be used by one or more people at a time to collaborate on an art project. The challenges presented by the chalkboard app is that you have to train yourself to do something familiar in a whole new way. Trying to learn to virtually draw, pick up different brushes or erase creations, all things that are fairly simple to do with traditional input devices such as a keyboard or mouse, supports critical thinking and creativity. If more than one person is using the app it also supports communication and collaboration.

There is extensive research that goes behind the projects. Anything surprising to you in developing this concept?

TVO has tested gesture-based apps, such the chalkboard app now in development and the TVOKids math game Caterpillar Count, with both adults and children. We found that while adults are hesitant and cautious when first asked to interact with the technology, children show no fear and dive right in, learning how things work through trial and error.

Kids will enjoy the fun aspect of this installation but stepping further...what would you want parents or educators to know?

TVO wants to support the fact that science and technology can be fun. We want to get kids excited about learning in new ways. Learning about new technologies and learning through new technologies. People learn in different ways. With TVO’s chalkboard app and gesture technology, there is an opportunity to add more of a kinesthetic aspect to learning.

Can you tell us more about the TVO Innovation Program?

TVO’s IdeaShaker Innovation Lab is focused on engaging Ontario teachers in exploration around emerging technologies and digital education. The lab, with the input and support of teachers, investigates and shares how technology can be used in the classroom.

TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace is open until April 21^st. It’s located at the TIFF Bell Lightbox at 350 King Street West, Toronto. For admission prices and hours visit www.tiff.net