10. Past Winning Entries of IxDA (Part 2)

Continuing my dive into the past winners of the Connecting Category of the IxDA

2014 Winner - KonneKt: a social game for isolated children in the hospital by Delft University of Technology (Student work)


KonneKt is another example of good interaction design that goes beyond a screen. By using EVA foam pieces, magnets, and suction cups, Job Jansweijer turned a glass barrier into a medium for interaction for children in hospitals who had to be isolated for their health. Job saw the issue of how children under isolation in hospitals were unable to engage in social play, and sought to create a solution that could help them interact with the outside world in a safe and fun manner. 
Media: Craft foam, magnets, suction cups
Interaction: Children and adults are able to use the KonneKt pieces to build on the glass, and people on both sides of the glass are able to participate.  
Connecting: Children who spend extended amounts of time isolated in hospitals with the outside world through physical play. 

2015 Winner - Skype in the Classroom by Made by Many

Skype in the Classroom is a little similar to an entry in 2012, called, Steps. Made by Many collaborated with Microsoft and Skype to break down the classroom walls and allow teachers to collaborate around the world. Students are able to take virtual field trips and listen to guest speakers in the classroom. 
Media: Skype
Interaction: Teachers using it as a tool in the classroom
Connecting: Teachers with other teachers so they can share information, as well as students connecting with other students in different countries. 

2016 Winner - Edward M. Kennedy Institute by Intersection

Intersection has created an interactive museum with a full-scale reproduction of a US Senate Chamber, with interaction and education in mind. Visitors of this museum can act as senators, debating, negotiating, and voting on real legislation with the other visitors in the museum. This has created an interesting way to learn about the democratic process, and how the visitors can have different roles to play within in. 
Media: Physical museum space, tablet-based interactions that are shown in the larger screens of the room. 
Connecting: Visitors with the roles and responsibilities of the US Senate. Politics and bureaucracy can become a very dry topic, but Intersection has created an interesting way for people in engage in it and learn about it.










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