Soon, 'Star trek' style desks for schools
Washington, Sept 18 : Scientists at Durham University are developing world's first
interactive classroom, which may result in a 'Star Trek' style make-over for schools.
With the researchers' efforts students will be able to learn environments using
interactive multi-touch desks that look and act like a large version of an Apple
iPhone.
Researchers at the Technology-Enhanced Learning Research Group (TEL) at Durham
University are designing an interactive classroom solution called 'SynergyNet' which aims
at achieving active student engagement and learning by sharing, problem-solving and
creating.
The team has collaborated with manufacturers and are now designing software, and desks
that recognize multiple touches on the desktop, using vision systems that can see infrared
light.
The team observed how students and teachers interact in classes and how Information
Communications technology (ICT) could improve collaboration and are developing SynergyNet
which will integrate ICT into the fabric of the classroom.
The 'multi-touch' desks will be the central component and the desks will be networked
and linked to a main smartboard that will provide new opportunities for teaching and
collaboration.
At a time, many students will be able to work together at a desk as the desks allow
simultaneous screen contact by multiple users using fingers or pens.
A single work-desk can operate as a set of individual work spaces and/or a large screen
allowing students to cooperate on a task. The software will be used to link everything
together in a fully interactive classroom system of desks and smartboards.
Teachers will be able to instantly display examples of good work by students on the
main smart-board; tasks could also be set for each individual desk. Numeracy tasks could
include exercises where pupils have to split a restaurant bill by sliding visual
representations of money into a group space.
The scientists wanted to create a 'natural way' for students to use computers in class.
The system boosts collaboration between students and teachers, and is a step ahead of
teacher-centric learning.
"Our vision is that every desk in school in 10 years time will be interactive. IT in
schools is an exciting prospect - our system is very similar to the type of interface
shown as a vision of the future in the TV series Star Trek!" said Dr. Liz Burd, Director
of Active Learning in Computing at Durham University.
He added: "We can now by-pass the 'move-to-use' whiteboard. The new desk can be both
a screen and a keyboard, it can act like a multi-touch whiteboard and several students can
use it at once. It offers fantastic scope for more participative teaching and
learning.
"The system will also boost equal access in school. In IT, we have found that males
have been the dominant actors - interactive classrooms will encourage more females to take
part in lessons. It will also enable more disabled students to participate in lessons and
allow more personalized learning."
Scientists will first test the system with students of all ages, and then the software
will be available to schools for free as open source code.
--ANI
