This is a good review of a few interactive screen options for educators. If you are just dipping your toe into the ocean of interactive screen choices, don't feel overwhelmed. Know that the decisions you make will focus on hardware as well as interactive digital content. The article below provides screen shots, a comparison chart, and information about interactive tabletops in addition to whiteboards.
TechLAB Shoutout: 5 Interactive Whiteboards Brian Nadel, Scholastic Tech Tools, 11/7/12 Note: Although I enjoy sharing news related to interactive technologies and applications, I often dig in deep, and include links to primary sources, research, and related scholarly articles when I can. I view my blog as a repository or archive. If you do a search on this blog, you will likely find yourself pleasantly surprised, even if the post was written a few months - or years ago.
The effects of technology at this Title I school resulted in increased attendance, fewer discipline problems, and college aspirations for the students. I would like to visit this school soon and see how the teachers integrate iPads and Smartboards.
The story about the principal of this school is inspiring.
I'll have to admit, I no longer consider myself an early adopter. I put off exploring the Google Chrome Web Store until.... today. Most of my recent explorations have centered on discovering great apps for my iDevices, but since I'm a cross-platform, cross-device, transmedia type of person, I could not neglect the world of interactive web apps!
Here is a screen shot of the educational web apps from the Google Chrome Web Store:
After you select a few web apps, you can access them from your Chrome browser by selecting a new tab or new window. The screen shot below shows the apps I've currently chosen to explore:
I have an HP TouchSmart, and I found that many of the web app worked out OK with touch interaction, even 3D "rotate and pan". My hunch is that many of the web apps will work fine on an interactive whiteboard.
I took a quick look at the MeeGenius! Children's Books interactive web app and was pleasantly surprised. This web app is a talking book that highlights each word as it is spoken. A human voice is used for the narration.
I'm looking forward to getting into work early on Monday to see what web apps work well on the SMARTboard!
"It's people who are now the interface." -Ole Bowman, cultural and architectural historian
I found the above quote from the Immersive Cocoon website and smiled.
When I first learned about the Immersive Cocoon in 2008, I thought it was just another technological fancy that probably would not come to market anytime soon. Although it still is in the concept stage, I think it has a chance of making it, given the rapid advances in interactive technology over the past few years.
It wouldn't surprise me to see i-Cocoons finding a place in libraries, educational settings, museums, and other public spaces within the next 5-8 years, given an economic turnaround.
What is the Immersive Cocoon? "The Immersive Cocoon is a future concept study by Tino Schaedler with design collective NAU; an idea to push the envelope and provoke a new conception of interface technology...Directed and 3D CG by Oliver Zeller. More info, behind the scenes and full credits at i-cocoon.com." -adNAU"
"Please play fullscreen and LOUD! ...This spec teaser reveals an evolution in computing interaction, within a setting inspired by the penultimate scene from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey...Starring that film's lead actor, Keir Dullea; "2011" was developed over a two year period. Live action was filmed multi-camera, against green screen atop a backlit plexi floor on a shoestring budget. Mr. Dullea was then integrated into an entirely digitally created CG set rendered at 1080HD."
Here are some previous videos about the iCocoon concept:
RELATED Immersive Cocoon Concept Website Designers developing virtual-reality 'Cocoon' Mark Tutton, 9/12/08, Telepresence Options /Human Productivity Lab Immersive Cocoon-Facebook "NAU is an international, multidisciplinary design firm, spanning the spectrum from architecture and interior design to exhibitions and interactive interfaces. As futurists creating both visual design and constructed projects, NAU melds the precision of experienced builders with the imagination and attention to detail required to create innovative exhibits, public events and architecture." FYI: Concerning interactive technology, things have changed a bit in my corner of the world - as I write this post, there is a Kinect beckoning me to dance in my bonus room. The Kinect was something that came to market much sooner than I expected. I'll have an iPad2 sometime in the near future- another example of how rapidly things are evolving. I skim the news by touch/swiping my now-outdated HTC Incredible. My 88-year-old aunt, has used Skype more than once to "chat" with her baby great-nephew across the miles.
I use a Wii at work at least once a week to support social interaction skills with some students who have moderate-to-severe autism. Every classroom in the main school I serve has a huge, immersive, interactive whiteboard that relies on touch and kinesthetic interaction-my colleagues can't imagine going back to teaching without them.
I'm always on the lookout for videos that work nicely on interactive whiteboards for students with multiple special needs, including autism. The video below is a time-lapse of the Perseid Meteor Shower and the galactic core of the Milky Way, from Joshua Tree National Park. It was produced by Henry Jun Wah Lee, of Evosia Studios.
Teachers of studets with special needs might want to incorporate this short video clip into lessons, (in this case, science). It provides a soothing touch through the use of music, and looks fantastic on a large interactive whiteboard. The video isn't too boring if it is looped, making it great for students who require repetition of content.
Take a look at the video demonstration of the new SMARTBoard (800 series) that offers multi-touch and gesture interaction support so that two students can interact with the board at the same time.
Students can use 2 finger gestures to enlarge objects and move them around.
Two students can interact with the board at the same time to complete activities.
SMARTInk/Calligraphic Ink creates stylized print as you write. Whatever is written or drawn on the SMARTBoard becomes an object in the SMARTNotebook, allowing for things to be resized or rotated. (2:04)
Multi-touch gestures enabled in Window 7 and Snow Leopard work with the SMARTBoard.
Software development kit (3:28): Example of a physics application developed by a 3rd-party developer. The application supports two students working at the SMARTBoard at the same time
This video, in my opinion, does not provide viewers with the full range of possibilities that the new features provide. I'd like to see a "redo" of this video using a live teacher and a group of students. For example, it would be interested in seeing how the physics application would be incorporated into a broader lesson or science unit. I'd love to hear what real students have to say as they interact with the physics application, too.
Comment:
I think a multi-user interactive timeline would be a great application for the new SMARTBoard, because students could work together to create and recreate events. This would be ideal for history, literature, and humanities activities, across a wide span of grade levels.
I'm thinking about getting one of the new "internet ready" TVs. I have a serious reason to do this. I'm working on some interactive video projects, and a couple of my projects are geared for teens and young adults who have autism.* My hunch is that many of my students would like to watch- and interact with-content optimized for Google TV and Vimeo's Couch Mode. The content is designed to look good on larger high-resolution flat-screen displays, and I'm sure it would be great on my school's newer SMARTBoards. I need to learn more about developing applications for this purpose.
(Currently I use my HP 22-inch TouchSmart PC to view web-based video content, and to evaluate websites that provide "touchable" and interactive content that might work well on interactive whiteboards.)
At any rate, I've been looking for great videos that have the potential for use at work with older students who have autism. I'm also looking for effective ways that the students can use to interact with multimedia and video content. This is important, since the students have minimal verbal communication skills, have limited reading ability- if they can read at all. They learn about their world through visual means, and are capable of learning much more - but not through traditional means.
Since our school is focusing on globalization and learning about the cultures of other countries, I've been on the lookout for some interesting videos that might appeal to our students.
Today I came across a great find- Philipp Geist. Who is Philipp Geist? According to his bio, Philipp works internationally as a light and multi-media artist in the mediums of video, performance, photography and painting. Some of his work focuses on architecture, history, and cultural heritage. A good example of his work is the installation he created for a festival in Thailand in 2009:
"The one-hour show is the central part of the celebrations and will be seen by thousands of visitors. It interprets artistically the king's life and his work dedicated to public welfare. The art installation combines images of the kings and his social projects in the past and present with 3D animations of Thai natural and cultural heritage and abstract painterly passages." (from the Vimeo site)
HIGH-RES MULTIMEDIA WEB CONTENT ON LARGE PANEL HD TV!
This might boost holiday gift sales and in turn, give a little jolt to the economy. To do my duty for my country, I will continue to research Internet TV as I narrow down my selection for my new Internet-ready TV.... Below is some Information about Google TV, Google Leanback, and Vimeo's Couch mode that I've recently gathered to share with my IMT followers:
GOOGLE TV: "The web is now a channel"
"With Google Chrome and Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Google TV lets you access everything on the web. Watch your favorite web videos, view photos, play games, check fantasy scores, chat with friends, and do everything else you're accustomed to doing online. Plus, the world's best websites are now being perfected for television -- check out our Spotlightgallery for examples." "The worlds' favorite websites are being tweaked and perfected for the television." -Google TV
I'm not too excited about the design of the application that transforms your Android phone or iPhone into a remote control. I hate most remote controls. According to Google TV, multiple phones can control the same TV, and you can use your voice to search, which seems like it would be a good thing... I wonder if they tested this out with real families, not just families of Google TV techies .
GOOGLE LEANBACK Video (Integrated into GoogleTV)
Google Leanback When I visited the Leanback website, I encountered the following screen with a suggestion that I type in what I was looking for. I typed in "lynnvm", the name of my YouTube channel. Apparently Google provides you with a randomly generated featured video that appears in the background that has nothing to do with what you are looking for.
In this screen shot, my YouTube channel offerings are in the foreground. "Maleficent Halloween Tutorial" is what played in the background:
VIMEO INTRODUCES COUCH MODE: Vimeo's version of Google's Leanback is Couch Mode. It is optimized for use on Google TV, so that makes things less complicated in the world of videoviewingland. According to Ryan Hefner's article on the Vimeo staff blog, "Couch Mode is a special new section of Vimeo that allows you to watch collections of videos (such as Staff Picks, your inbox, your videos, etc.) completely uninterrupted like a TV channel." Couch Mode works on computers, but since it relies on HTML5 and CSS3, without Flash, it only works with Chrome and Safari browsers. For more information, see the video below:
"A few of our favorites include Net-A-Porter, which lets you watch runway videos and shop for high fashion; Meegenius, a place where you can read and customize children’s books; TuneIn, a personal radio for your TV; and The Onion which always gives us a good laugh." - Google TV Blog
MeeGenius If you are a teacher, parent, kid, or lover of children's books, visit this interactive website ASAP. It is optimized for Google TV and works nicely on touch-enabled screens and devices.
As I was wrapping up this post, I came across information about Viewsonic's new 3D, glassesless pocket camcorder. I'll update information about this new gadget when I have a chance to learn more about it. !
Comment: The idea of developing interactive multimedia apps in 3D intrigues me. At this point, the technology is too new for an "armchair technologist" like me to pursue with my incredibly busy work obligations. I don't have the money to buy a 3D video camera. But I might try this out, if it is true that it only costs $238.00!
* About me: I presently work full time as a school psychologist at a high school and at a program for students with more severe disabilities, including autism. The students I work with have made amazing gains through the use of interactive multimedia applications, and also have responded well to video presented on the large IWB screens.
I went back to school to take computer courses, initially so I could make interactive multimedia applications and games. I continue to blog about interactive multimedia, emerging/ new technologies, and topics related to post-WIMP HCI/UX/ID/IA. Although my "spare time" is limited, I try to keep up my technical skills whenever I can by working on projects that can support the students I work with.
I have collected lots of resources for interactive whiteboards and other touch-screens, such all-in-one Touch PC's such as the Dell and HP TouchSmart. Some are optimized for use on mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Droids.
I'd like to highlight a few online educational games on this blog from time-to-time.
The PhysicsGames site is full of games that can be embedded into a blog or web page, making it easy for teachers and parents to organize and arrange the games as they see fit. This feature also lets students do the same.
On the main page of the website, the games are arranged in alphabetical order, with picture icons for each game. The titles of the games and the pictures on the icons give you a quick idea of what each game is about. The games were created by a variety of developers, professionals, teachers, and if I'm not mistaken, tech-savvy students.
Below are links to the various categories of physics games found on the site. The games I explored all had music and sound effects, so make sure that the sound is turned on! (Note: The site is supported by sponsors, but the advertising is not annoying-in many cases, you can skip the ads.)
If you follow the link, you can see the first "draft" of the video. My goal is to transform the linear video into an interactive video, with hot spots and links:
I'm playing around with my sea life video clips to get ideas for creating interactive educational videos in the future for use on interactive whiteboards and other large touch-screen surfaces.
Here's my YouTube description:
This is a medley of several video clips taken of sea life, mostly living in aquariums. Awesome jellyfish can be viewed from 1:34- 3:45. The music consists of clips from iMovie, and then William Orbit's "Sea Green" and "Surfin". I created this video for students I work with who have more complex disabilities, such as severe autism.
I'll post more about these later. We have a SMARTTable at my main school, so I'm curious to see how these work out. If you are working with interactive tabletop applications for students, especially those with disabilities such as autism, please let me know!
One of the schools I serve as a school psychologist has a number of students with severe autism. Over the past year or so, each classroom was outfitted with a new interactive white board (IWB). We've found that multimedia content displayed on these large screens is much more engaging than what is viewed on computers with much smaller displays.
The exciting news is that some of the students who have minimal interest in computers pay a great deal of attention to activities on the IWBs. Students who have self-stimulatory or repetitive behaviors that interfere with their ability to engage in traditional activities don't seem to exhibit these patterns nearly as much when the focus is on the IWB. In my opinion, IWBs are great tools for reaching and teaching young people who have autism spectrum disorders!
I'm in the process of creating a variety of short video clips that teachers can embed in learning activities that also provide a way for students to reduce their levels of anxiety, agitation, and/or repetitive behaviors.
The following videos are my first experiments, and are not as polished as I'd like. They are best viewed on a large-screen display or IWB, set to high definition. Although various students have viewed these videos a few times this week, they were a great hit. In some cases, we found it useful to loop the video, especially for students who require repetition of content.
The videos were shot using a small hand-held Panasonic HD camcorder, and quickly edited in iMovie. The music was either taken from the iMovie music library or created using riffs in Garage Band, an Apple iLife product.
Enjoy!
Lily Pond and Music
In this video, I used a few subtitles to direct the viewer to points of interest, such as the little grasshopper hiding in the pink lily and a dragonfly, which appears near the end of the video.
Butterflies and Flowers Set to Music
I set this version to piano music for a student who listens to piano music as a coping strategy. I plan to create another version with other genres of music. This particular score was created with piano riffs from Garage Band.
Up Close at the Charleston Aquarium - with relaxing music
Even the most inattentive students paid maximum to this video when it was looped! I think they liked the variety of sea life, especially the turtles. Tip: If you plan to capture video at an aquarium, plan to visit at a time where there are few visitors!
I can't wait to take my video camera to the Atlanta aquarium.
Minnows and Music
The minnows swimming around in the murky green tank are a little boring, but things get slightly more exciting when the bait-shop owner feeds them. The music makes up for what the video lacks. The students didn't mind at all.
Jellyfish at the Discovery Place Aquarium, Charlotte, NC - with music
I'd like to visit Discovery Place at a less-crowded time and re-capture the jellyfish in action from a better vantage point.
UPDATE
I'd like to see if there are similar videos set to music by William Orbit.
I found this video on YouTube of William Orbit's "Sea Green", set to video created by a fan:
Below is "Surfin", great for chilling - needs some video...
Finguistics created educational applications for Microsoft Surface. Watch how engaged the students are in this video as they work in groups, and look at the excitement on the faces of the teachers!
The teachers and students have lots of positive things to say about it. Play = Learn
I would like to have the chance to convert my single-touch prototypes to multi-touch for use on the Surface or something similar, but for now, I'm happy with the newly-installed SmartBoards at my favorite school and the two existing Promethean boards, which are used to deliver interactive, rather than passive learning activities for students with multiple special needs, including autism.
Despite the increase in interest in systems that support multi-touch, multi-user multimedia interaction, there is a need for creative, tech-savvy types to develop innovative applications. Why? This technology has the potential to make a powerful impact on how people learn, communicate, solve "big picture" problems, and do their various jobs.
CNN's Magic Wall was one of the first applications to gain the attention of the masses, as it was used as an interactive map during the US presidential election process. Touch-screen interaction gained even more notice after the recent SNL parody by Fred Amisen.
If you think about it, the multi-touch applications you see on the news aren't much different than what you'd get from a "single-touch" program.
Fancy, yes. Truly innovative, no.
Just imagine a 3D multi-touch, multi-user, multimedia version of Google Search. I did. I put my sketches in my idea book and hurt my brain thinking about how it could be coded. Jeff Han, the man behind Perceptive Pixel and CNN's magic wall, had much more up his sleeve when he demonstrated his work at TED 2006. Even if you've previously seen this video, it is worth looking at again. (I've provided a link to the transcript below.)
This video presentation had a transformational effect on me as I watched for the first time. Jeff Han brought to life ideas that were similar to my own as a beginning computer student thinking about collaborative educational games and multimedia applications that could be played on interactive whiteboards.
Here are some selected quotes from the video:
"I really really think this is gonna change- really change the way we interact with the machines from this point on." "Again, the interface just disappears here. There's no manual. This is exactly what you kind of expect, especially if you haven't interacted with a computer before."
"Now, when you have initiatives like the hundred dollar laptop, I kind of cringe at the idea that we're gonna introduce a whole new generation of people to computing with kind of this standard mouse-and-windows pointer interface. This is something that I think is really the way we should be interacting with the machines from this point on. (applause)" "Now this is going to be really important as we start getting to things like data visualization. For instance, I think we all really enjoyed Hans Rosling's talk, and he really emphasized the fact that I've been thinking about for a long time too, we have all this great data, but for some reason, it's just sitting there. We're not really accessing it. And one of the reasons why I think that is, is because of things like graphics- will be helped by things like graphics and visualization and inference tools. But I also think a big part of it is gonna be- starting to be able to have better interfaces, to be able to drill down into this kind of data, while still thinking about the big picture here."
So now what?
A recent post by "Alex", on the AFlex World blog discusses a few solutions. Alex had a chance to meet with Harry van derVeen and Pradeep George from theNUI Group, and Georg Kaindl, a multi-touch interaction designer from the Technical University of Vienna. The focus of the discussion was to come up with ideas to encourage Adobe/Flash designers and developers to learn more about multi-touch technology and interaction, and take steps to create innovative applications.
I especially like the following quote from the post:
"...A quick quote from our conversations: “When our children will walk up to a display, they will touch it and expect to do something.”
As a techie and a school psychologist, I see an immediate need for innovative applications. I know that there is a built-in market in the schools, at least for low-cost applications. Despite economic constraints, many school districts continue to invest in interactive whiteboards (IWB's). They are cropping up in preschool and K-12 settings, and teachers are searching for more than what's currently available.
Interactive, collaborative applications are needed in fields such as health care, patient education, finance & economics, urban planning, civil engineering, travel & tourism, museums & exhibitions, special events, entertainment, and more.
Smart Technologies, the company behind SmartBoards, has a new interactive multi-touch, multi-user table designed for K-6 education, the Smart Table. Hewlett Packard has several versions of theTouchSmart PC, which can support at least duo-touch, if not multi-touch, multi-user applications. There are numerous all-in-one large screen displays on the market that support multi-touch and multi-user interaction.
Quotes from Harry van der Veen, of Multitouch NL:
"In 10 years from now when a child walks up to a screen he expects it to be a multi-touch screen with which he can interact with by using gestures."
"...multi-touch screens will be as common as for children is the internet nowadays, as common as mobile phones are for us."
Here is a quote from a conversation I had with Spencer, who blogs at TeacherLED. "It was interesting this week as I was in a classroom with a teacher who I've not worked with before... he had 2 students using the whiteboard who kept touching it together by mistake. The teacher, exasperated, said to himself, "Why can't they make these things to accept 2 touches without going crazy!"
Proof of the demand! I think you are right when teachers spot the limitations and then see the technology on visits to museums, that might stimulate demand." Spencer creates cool interactive mini-applications, mostly for math, using Flash, that teachers (and students) love to use on interactive whiteboards. (He's interested in multi-touch, too.)
