TuneTable is a responsive tabletop application with a tangible user interface. The intention is to teach basic computer programming concepts to middle and high school students (ages 9-16) using physical blocks that work as snippets of code. TuneTable applies computational elements like functions, parameters, and nested loops. Users compose short songs by building chains of blocks that represent code. Each block has a unique design on the bottom that, when placed on the acrylic surface of the table, is identified by the software using cameras mounted underneath the surface of the table. When the arrangement of blocks is recognized, the application outputs musical and visual feedback.

To view a video of the project, click here.

Publications

• Xambo, A., Drozda, B., Weisling, A., Magerko, B., Huet, M., Gasque, T., and Freeman, J. (2017). "Experience and Ownership with a Tangible Computational Music Installation for Informal Learning," in Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI).