Kano

Playing around with Kano today!  What is Kano I hear you ask?  In an interview with The Guardian, CEO Alex Klein described Kano’s mission: “What we’re building here is a new kind of computer company, with creativity rather than consumption at its core. There’s a need and a hunger for a new type of creative computer around the world.” According to Kano's website it is "aimed at children and young adults it’s intended as an introduction to computer programming and is completely customizable.”  I've been chatting to Oliver Beech from Kano to see if these kits are viable for multi users.  Oliver explained that the kits can be disassembled and reused and the Kano can be set up each time so that it can be used by different children.

So today I first assembled the computer screen (you can actually connect the computer to a display or a TV with a HDMI port or you can purchase a screen to assemble from Kano).  The 'how to book' was awesome, great pictures, not too much wording and very easy to follow.  Connecting the case on the back to cover the driver board was a wee bit fiddly, as was the connector cable to the button board (with multiple disassemble the pins may get damaged).  With the Kano screen I'd probably not disassemble everytime (except the HDMI cable and the power cable).  The case around the driver board is transparent so easy to view and discuss.  I also loved the pictorial history of computers and screens!

The Kano computer (the DIY speaker, the Raspberry Pi and custom case was really easy to assemble. I would definitely ask the students to assemble and disassemble.  It was awesome to see all the detail and self assemble.

Now the keyboard is on charge so that I can then play with Kano!  I let you know how I'm getting on in another post.  I'm also eagerly awaiting the Kano 2 to arrive in the post which I backed on kickstarter in 2016!