Introduction: Interactive Book Cover Art With Makey Makey

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About: Composer, Sound Designer And All Round Noise Maker. I use both field recordings and synthesis to explore the act of play through improvisation and interactivity. My installation art sits somewhere between col…
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Use your makeymakey to create book-based interactive art. A fantastic way to use technology in literacy lessons to create students "reflections" on their favourite books and interactive book reports/reviews.

Supplies

Makey Makey Classic, paper, split pins, colouring pens/pencils, tin foil, crocodile clips, graphite sticks,

Step 1: Literacy

Begin the workshop by focusing the experience on literacy and asking the group to tell us their favourite book, asking for details about their favourite character and scene/plot-point from the story.

Educator Tip:

If there are any students who don't have a favourite, come back to them once they've heard their peers perhaps use something you're reading in class or even a film they've watched recently.

Step 2: Paper Prototype

Once everybody has something, get them to consider how it might become 'interactive' and create a paper prototype.

With the makeymakey connected to the computer, when you tap elements on the drawing it can trigger events within Scratch. Will this be an animation? sound? Could the drawing be a controller for a game? So long as its relevant to the book the students can create whatever they like. A review? An additional storyline? A dramatisation of a paragraph from the book?

A quick drawing of a paper prototype will help keep participants on task, highlight any potential issues and fully form their idea before beginning.

Educator Tip:

This workshop also works well with pairs, with one member focusing on creating the physical artwork whilst the other focuses on programming in scratch. The collaboration being finding exciting ways to use conductive materials. E.g Split pins allow for moving parts such as making a rudimentary switch.

Step 3: Get Drawing!

Use the prototype, participants can now get hands on with craft materials and start making the final product, remember - don't be afraid to go big or even 3D! Just make sure you've got enough cable length to still reach the makeymakey.

Educator Tip:

When considering what part of the artwork will be the "earth" the simple option to create a tinfoil wrist band. However the earth itself could be within the artwork, such as in this "take a chip" image. Finding the earth could be part of the game which makes the artwork interactive.