A Demonstration of SoundWear: Wearable Device Using Sound Augmentation to Enrich Open-ended Outdoor Play Experience of Children

Abstract

To promote open-ended outdoor play experience of children, this demonstration pays attention to sound augmentation that can function as a playful motivator facilitating the play benefits, particularly when integrates with a wearable device. We present a bracelet-type wearable device, called SoundWear, with which children can explore, select, sonify, and transfer sounds for play outdoors. The results of user study confirmed that the presence and types of sound augmentation could affect children's outdoor play in physical, social, and imaginative perspectives.