Aidan Metz
Spring 2025
Often, students may struggle when learning to read.
Certain concepts, while simple to adults, can prove to be challenging for young readers. Tools and toys exist to help with this, but they are often too basic to be effective or are exclusively digital.
One of the largest barriers between students and fluent reading is their understanding of phonics.
Examples
teach
learn
block
play
fun
apple
Sounds grouped by color
What are phonics?
Phonics are, in the simplest sense, the associations between letters and their sounds.
Knowing these patterns comes naturally to adults, but for a child just learning to read, concepts like silent e and ch making the “chh” sound can be confusing.
Teaching and practicing concepts like these is where Phonic Slam comes in handy.
Phonic Slam is a learning device designed to help teach and practice phonics. Not only does it make building and decoding words a tactile activity, but it visualizes and verbalizes the sounds they make for more advanced lessons and fun.
Survey Research - Using Animation
This project called for a video explanation to properly communicate each concept.
While fairly simple in use, it was difficult to communicate the light, sound, and other interactive aspects of this learning device without video
Using Adobe Premeire, a set of rough concept sketches was animated.
Concept 1
Letter units are used to spell a word by stacking them on the “activator” device and locked in by slamming the end. The device breaks down the word via lights and audio.
Yes: 79.3%
No: 20.7%
23/29 Approved
Ratings
Practicality: 7.72/10
Engagement: 8.1/10
Difficulty: 3.34/10
Concept 2
Five units with which students scan a sheet to set the device to a desired letter. When words are spelled, then the device will automatically break them down. Additionally students can click the device to show pictograms representing sounds.
Yes: 69%
No: 31%
20/29 Approved
Ratings
Practicality: 8.86/10
Engagement: 7.79/10
Difficulty: 3.17/10
Concept 3
Students place blocks into the device, the device will break it down by bouncing the letter blocks. Additionally students can speak into the device and the blocks will raise and lower with the sound of their voice pronouncing the sounds of each word.
Yes: 62.1%
No: 37.9%
18/29 Approved
Ratings
Practicality: 7.10/10
Engagement: 8.1/10
Difficulty: 8.1/10
Winner! Concept 1
Although there were some concerns to address, it had the overall best score with 23/29 saying they would consider using this device.
Concerns:
How many letter blocks?
The device will only have 11 letter blocks.
Will it be durable?
The final version of the device has a thick rubber overmold on the edges.
Will kids fight over it?
Rather than focus on classroom settings, I pivoted to focus on struggling students.
Video Demonstration
Video Demonstration