Nothing can help students elevate their computer skills quite like the Kano Computer Kit. This incredible, intuitive, and all-in-one product puts kids inside the computer and helps them understand how it works—because they build it themselves! We brought you an Eduporium Experiment featuring the Kano Kit last spring and now there's an amendment to this product for us to review! Kano now has a bundled kit complete with a screen and we put that to the test in our office for this edition of the Eduporium Experiment.
Aside from the newly added screen, most of the parts in the new kit are the same as the original. The Kano is incredibly easy to use and it's amazing how its tiny processing board is able to do all the things a normal-sized computer can. From coming up with all new software and functions to enabling kids to create and play basic computer games, the Kano really does do it all! I was able to start building the computer right away and it was apparent what each component was to be used for.
Just following the instructions was enough because the included illustrations are very clear and easy to follow. I didn't have to Google anything or spend any extra time pulling up YouTube videos, which is the case with some products. It took less than 10 minutes to set up the structure of the computer, though I do have a good deal of experience with the original Kano model. The new model features some of the same accessories as the original, including art, apps, and Minecraft. In the 'art' game, I was met with the challenge of not only drawing a circle, but of programming it as well. On-screen instructions appeared with every step so I was able to know exactly what I was doing the entire time, which is a great benefit for students in the classroom!
While playing the games, I was still able to pick up subtle hints of coding and programming and didn't even realize that I could learn so much while I thought I was just having some fun. Kano is a true mixture of education and fun because, to improve the games, I had to follow certain codes to create obstacles for myself, essentially developing coding skills on the fly!
Just like the original Kano, the new kit isn’t the least bit intimidating either. The instructions are so incredibly straightforward that I felt like a pro putting together the computer and the way that the hands-on guide explains the steps and tracks progress is something that they can definitely relate to and benefit from. I used to be afraid of anything dealing with computer assembly because I never knew how to do it and figured construction and programming were way over my head, but, with Kano, my confidence skyrocketed. Even when it comes to programming, there are ways for kids to explore IFTTT (if this, then that) cycles and randomizing actions, which I can confirm are very much legitimate on the new Kano model.
I didn't quite get to every new feature on the Kano because of a lack of time (you know how it is), but there is one other awesome inclusion I'd like to mention. With this bundle, kids can actually learn what it's like to create apps using basic coding techniques! It breaks it down into a game-based learning challenge, tricking children into learning how to code by playing it off as if they are playing a game. Then, there's Minecraft as well, which empowers kids to program the actions within the game while they learn important coding skills.
It’s an amazing feeling actually being able to learn through action and experience using the Kano. The entire process was very eye-opening and I was also able to see why it had to be built using a certain order. Each piece has specific functions, which becomes apparent as students build the Kano. Thankfully, it’s very easy to understand what's going on with the computer and all of its pieces.
Overall, the new Kano features are pretty impressive and I can definitely see how they can be used in a K-6 classroom. As long as students are careful and follow the directions explicitly, the Kano Kit offers a number of real-world benefits that can help them in the future. Plus, Kano exposes students to multiple ways of programming, not tying them down to one particular language or style. Before allowing students to move on, the system makes sure they've mastered each step, making the Kano Bundle a top-notch teaching tool in STEM classrooms!
To purchase a Kano Bundle or the original Kano Computer Kit, visit the Eduporium store! Look out for next Wednesday's edition of the Eduporium Experiment as well, featuring the Robotics Smart Machines Kit from Thames & Kosmos! If you have an idea of for an EdTech product you'd like to see featured on the Eduporium Experiment, let us know by sending us a message on Twitter or Facebook!