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1. Seamfulness and Culturally Responsive Computing

   https://doi.org/10.1109/RESPECT55273.2022.00014  

   Dixon, Colin. ; Hsi, Sherry. ; Oh, HyunJoo. ( May 2021 , Conference on Research in Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT))

   To make computer science (CS) more equitable, many educational efforts are shifting foci from access and content understanding to include identification, agency, and social change. As part of these efforts, we look at how learners perceive themselves in relation to what they believe CS is and what it means to participate in CS. Informed by three design lenses, unblackboxing, culturally responsive computing, and creative production, we designed a physical computing kit and activities. Drawing from qualitative analysis of interviews, artifacts, and observation of six young people in a weeklong summer workshop, we report on the experiences of two young Black women designers. We found that using these materials young people were able to: leverage personal goals and prior experiences in computing work; feel as if they were figuring out computing systems; and recognize computational technologies as created by people for particular purposes. We observed that while the mix of materials and activities created some frustration for participants, it also prompted processes of community building and inquiry. We discuss implications for design of computational tools in equity-centered CS education and pose seamfulness as an emergent heuristic when designing for learning that engages young people with the social, not just material, systems of computing. 

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2. The algorithmic origins of counting

   https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.14031  

   Piantadosi, Steven T. ( November 2023 , Child Development)

   The study of how children learn numbers has yielded one of the most productive research programs in cognitive development, spanning empirical and computational methods, as well as nativist and empiricist philosophies. This paper provides a tutorial on how to think computationally about learning models in a domain like number, where learners take finite data and go far beyond what they directly observe or perceive. To illustrate, this paper then outlines a model which acquires a counting procedure using observations of sets and words, extending the proposal of Piantadosi et al. (2012). This new version of the model responds to several critiques of the original work and outlines an approach which is likely appropriate for acquiring further aspects of mathematics.

    

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3. OBSERVATIONS ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF GENERATIVE DESIGN TOOLS ON DESIGN PROCESS AND DESIGNER BEHAVIOUR

   https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2023.281  

   Saadi, Jana ; Yang, Maria ( July 2023 , Proceedings of the Design Society)

   Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are opening the possibilities for the development of more advanced design tools. An example of these innovations are generative design tools, in which the generation of complex and high performing products is possible. This study investigates the use of generative design tools and how they may influence the design process and designer behaviour. Six interviews of interdisciplinary designers were conducted to understand the implications of using generative design tools. It was observed that generative design tools primarily allow for quantitative inputs to the tool while qualitative metrics, such as aesthetics, are considered indirectly by designers. The subjectivity of the designer and how they incorporate the quantitative and qualitative metrics in the generative design tool can lead to differing outcomes between designers. Notable differences in tool usage are also observed between expert and novice computational designers. Additional studies should be conducted to further understand the extent generative design tools impact the design process, designer behaviour, and design outcomes.

    

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4. A Call for Action: Conceptualizing Assets-Based Inclusive Design as a Social Movement to Address Systemic Inequities: An Assets-Based Inclusive Design Framework

   https://doi.org/10.1145/3411763.3450368  

   Ahumada-Newhart, Veronica ; Maya Hernandez, J. ; Badillo-Urquiola, Karla ( May 2021 , ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21))

   Digital technologies shape how individuals, communities, and soci- eties interact; yet they are far from equitable. This paper presents a framework that challenges the “one-view-fits-all” design approach to digital health tools. We explore systemic issues of power to eval- uate the multidimensional indicators of Latino health outcomes and how technology can support well-being. Our proposed frame- work enables designers to gain a better understanding of how marginalized communities use digital technologies to navigate unique challenges. As an innovative and possibly controversial approach to assets-based design, we stress the importance of in- dustry and academia self-reflection on their organization’s role in the marginalization of communities in addition to valuing the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Through this approach, designers may avoid amplifying structural and health inequities in marginalized communities. 

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5. A call for action: Conceptualizing assets-based inclusive design as a social movement to address systemic inequities. An assets-based inclusive design framework.

   https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5214196  

   Ahumada-Newhart, V ; Hernandez, M.J ; Badillo-Urquiola, K. ( May 2021 , CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Extended Abstracts)

   null (Ed.)

   Digital technologies shape how individuals, communities, and soci- eties interact; yet they are far from equitable. This paper presents a framework that challenges the “one-view-fits-all” design approach to digital health tools. We explore systemic issues of power to eval- uate the multidimensional indicators of Latino health outcomes and how technology can support well-being. Our proposed frame- work enables designers to gain a better understanding of how marginalized communities use digital technologies to navigate unique challenges. As an innovative and possibly controversial approach to assets-based design, we stress the importance of in- dustry and academia self-reflection on their organization’s role in the marginalization of communities in addition to valuing the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Through this approach, designers may avoid amplifying structural and health inequities in marginalized communities. 

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