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Submission Type
Performance
Start Date
16-7-2020 6:00 PM
End Date
16-7-2020 7:30 PM
Abstract
Phone Down Magic On is designed as a chapter book for children, grades 3-5, and each chapter begins with augmented reality content. The story follows three young friends who text each other before bed. By holding a phone above the physical chapter book, readers see the characters’ texting session as if it were happening on their own phones… and when a parent says to put the phone down, the texting stops and the “magic” begins. The screen interface dissolves into a dream scene, and clues to a mystery are presented in floating text presented within animated sequences supported by sound design. These clues are then used in the upcoming chapters to help a group of young friends solve unexpected, age-appropriate mysteries (such as missing pets, die-dyed sports uniforms and the anonymous #LoveYourAwesomeSelf graffiti that keeps popping up around school).
This project aims to promote literacy, diversity and inclusion, and healthy self-esteem in young readers. Literacy is promoted through simple sentences enhanced by key vocabulary words: Each animation sequence includes key terms, which are then integrated into the chapters that follow, ideally helping young readers to develop vocabulary and reading fluency. The main characters are diverse in terms of cultural identity, family structure (including a two-mom LGBTQ family, a multigenerational family and a single-parent family) and gender identity (including one nonbinary protagonist). The importance of supporting one’s community and developing self-esteem in one’s self is a through-line that runs throughout the entire project. Spoiler Alert: Towards the end of the book, one of the characters is diagnosed with Dyslexia, a realization that gives new meaning to the floating letter animations before each chapter. The protagonists work together to discover what this means, and difference is embraced as a source of strength.
Keywords: Children’s literature, augmented reality
Phone Down Magic On (an augmented reality performance/reading)
Phone Down Magic On is designed as a chapter book for children, grades 3-5, and each chapter begins with augmented reality content. The story follows three young friends who text each other before bed. By holding a phone above the physical chapter book, readers see the characters’ texting session as if it were happening on their own phones… and when a parent says to put the phone down, the texting stops and the “magic” begins. The screen interface dissolves into a dream scene, and clues to a mystery are presented in floating text presented within animated sequences supported by sound design. These clues are then used in the upcoming chapters to help a group of young friends solve unexpected, age-appropriate mysteries (such as missing pets, die-dyed sports uniforms and the anonymous #LoveYourAwesomeSelf graffiti that keeps popping up around school).
This project aims to promote literacy, diversity and inclusion, and healthy self-esteem in young readers. Literacy is promoted through simple sentences enhanced by key vocabulary words: Each animation sequence includes key terms, which are then integrated into the chapters that follow, ideally helping young readers to develop vocabulary and reading fluency. The main characters are diverse in terms of cultural identity, family structure (including a two-mom LGBTQ family, a multigenerational family and a single-parent family) and gender identity (including one nonbinary protagonist). The importance of supporting one’s community and developing self-esteem in one’s self is a through-line that runs throughout the entire project. Spoiler Alert: Towards the end of the book, one of the characters is diagnosed with Dyslexia, a realization that gives new meaning to the floating letter animations before each chapter. The protagonists work together to discover what this means, and difference is embraced as a source of strength.
Keywords: Children’s literature, augmented reality
Bio
Laura Zaylea is a film/media artist and Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Media Studies and Production in the Klein College for Media and Communication at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, USA.