Working with Young Children as TECHNOLOGY DESIGN PARTNERS.

The article presents a U.S.-based case study illustrating the role of children in a technology design method called Cooperative Inquiry. The techniques of Cooperative Inquiry enable children and adults to work together to create innovative technology for children, and grew out of work with children ages 7-11 who meet in a lab twice a week after school and two weeks over the summer. There are many techniques that can be used by a team developing technology through Cooperative Inquiry. One such method is a modified form of participatory design that involves sketching ideas with art supplies such as paper, cardboard, and glue to create low-tech prototypes during the brainstorming process. Mixing ideas can be a powerful part of Cooperative Inquiry with young children. The process of mixing ideas with these younger children enhanced the effectiveness of other Cooperative Inquiry techniques designed for use with older children. Through technology implementation and further empirical study we expect to better understand the benefits of mixing ideas with young children. The article concluded that intergenerational partnerships can lead to unexpected technology innovations, as well as establishing design methods for working with children.