Cardboard Computer Workshop at HfG Offenbach
How do computers work on their fundamental levels? Can we build communication networks from scratch – with rubber bands, rope and cardboard? How do analog metaphors for Drag & Drop look like?
Those were some of many questions which I asked the design students at the HfG Offenbach, when I was there in order to teach a one week workshop at the class for electronic media. Our aim was to answer those questions with limited materials: We had cardboard, welding wire, glue, rope, rulers and cutting knifes available. And we tried to build computers – or some of their parts – out of that material. Here’s a hispeed slideshow of the workshop. And below you can find descriptions of the students’ projects.
Developing Algorithmic Thinking by Inventing and Playing Algorithms