Kano’s DIY coding kits teach users how to build computers, screens, cameras, speakers and pixel kits using storybook-style instructions.
Kano’s do-it-yourself educational devices use Lego-style building kits to teach coding and more. With 8.2 billion devices worldwide connected to the Internet, and with most of us carrying a powerful computer around in a pocket or bag (smartphones), coding has never been more important.
Yet only around 50 million people in the world, professionals and amateurs combined, have the knowledge to speak to, interact with and control the outputs of these ubiquitous devices. Kano’s team hopes to change that by reinjecting fun and creativity into an industry too often held back by educators’ focus on vocation and profit: ‘Build an app, make millions.’
Kano’s first product was a computer that was fun to build, to meet the challenge given by a six-year-old who wanted to build one that was ‘as simple and fun as Lego, so no one had to teach him’. Following the success of that computer, the company introduced its screen kit and is now developing camera, speaker and pixel board kits.
Building a Kano device involves putting together the pieces using the storybook instructions and then connecting to any monitor using the HDMI port. Makers then use the Kano Blocks coding arena to start customizing.
Coding starts out as easily as dragging and dropping code blocks, giving users instant gratification in seeing the changes reflected in their device. And it’s not just children who appreciate the bright colours and unlimited creativity available through the kits. James Vincent, reporter for multimedia platform The Verge says, ‘It brings coding off the screen and into the physical world. Seeing this happen in real time is genuinely delightful.’
The code blocks are not only colourful, easy and fun to use; they can shape the actions of the connected device, beat challenges set by the Kano team and connect to games including Minecraft, allowing gamers to not only play but also to create the game anew. Once a maker is ready to move up to writing code themselves, a Javascript-based learning window helps users turn their ideas into actions. Each device can contain up to three custom apps at a time, allowing makers to mix and match the capabilities of their devices.
Kano’s operating system is Linux-based, and each kit comes with the most up-to-date version of the open-source Raspberry Pi hardware. For educators, Kano kits provide full curriculum support, training and resources. The curriculum support includes lesson plans, design challenges and how-to coding lessons for teachers, along with regular phone support from the Kano team and membership to the Kano Educator Community network.
The computer and screen kits each cost $150, with custom bundles available to those buying in bulk. Anyone wanting to donate a kit can buy-one-give-one for $299. The soon-to-be-released Pixel Kit costs $130, and the camera and speaker kits are still in development.
‘It brings coding off the screen and into the physical world. Seeing this happen in real time is genuinely delightful.’
By presenting complicated engineering in simple, engaging and accessible formats, products such as Kano’s can be used to help children get a head start. Making education more accessible is a central tenet of the international sustainable development goals, and Foldscope Instruments’ $1 portable, origami paper microscope is helping students anywhere afford scientific study. Woodenwidget is another company contributing to the popularity of the learn anywhere maker movement, offering illustrated how-to guides for building a wooden bike, boat or caravan.
__TAKEAWAYS
Website: http://uk.kano.me/products/screen-kit
Contact: help@kano.me
Company name: Kano
Innovation name: The Screen Kit
Country: United States
Industries: Design / Education / Gamification & gaming