Modular phones may have been inspired by the idea of Legos that’s why they have potential to be bigger. However, we’re not quite sure if some people like the thought of having to change accessories or replace add-ons every time. Well, they are still relatively new so let’s see first if, when, and how the LG G5 with Friends and the Moto Z with Moto Mods will do in the mobile arena. We’re hopeful about this technology because it’s supposed to be more affordable. Perhaps less carbon footprint too because you don’t have to buy a new one or more just to have an upgraded device.
Kids and adults alike may learn a thing or two from modular devices. Deciding on which accessory or part to use and snap is important. For kids, they learn from building things on their own. It’s one way for them to learn different concepts and skills. In this light, Google wants to take advantage of the kids’ learn and play by introducing Project Bloks. It’s a new program to helps empower children to explore and create things with technology.
Project Bloks is ideal for parents and children who want to learn and develop more skills. This effort teaches the kids the basics of programming. They can learn how to program a computer as a new language which later helps them develop a new skillset for providing solutions to problems. This is Google’s response to the call of US President Obama to include Computer Science in the school curriculum.
Google has always been responsive to such needs that’s why it has similar efforts like the Google Play for Education and Drive for Education. Google is also known to be generous in distributing Chromebooks and Cardboard for teachers, students, and schools in developing countries.
With Project Bloks, children can learn coding. It’s more of physical coding for now to teach them the concept of creating and building something with codes and resources available. Google partnered with IDEO and Stanford University’s Paulo Blikstein for this project which is still under development. What you’re seeing below is simply a prototype. We’re positive Google will be able to deliver as soon as ready.
Project Bloks system can be reconfigured and customized. It’s up to you how you will use the Brain Board, Base Boards, and Pucks. The idea is for them to be used together and set to do several functions and connect to other devices. The Puck carry instructions like jump, move left, or turn on/off. A Base Board is a special modular board for more diverse tangible programming experiences. It’s what reads the “pucks”. Meanwhile, the Brain Board controls any device that has API over Bluetooth or WiFi. It runs on Raspberry Pi Zero and contains an API to send/receive data to the Base Boards.
Hands-on learning is important and Google believes it can teach children a lot of things with Project Bloks. It’s opening the program to more researchers, developers, and designers in hopes that they will be able to offer their creativities and skills to improve on the system.
SOURCE: Google
