Microsoft Surface Computing multi touch screen table

Take a look at this demo of Microsoft Research's Surface Computing on a multi-touch table:



I would like to work on applications for use on a touch-table to support students with special needs, especially those who have autism spectrum disorders. Last semester, I worked on prototype applications for use on a touch-screen surface.

I'm planning on posting a "how to" video and related materials for the photo-globe prototype using Google Earth on TeacherTube in a week or so, after the end of the school year- check back here for the link! I've posted a short video clip about the photo-globe on the interactive multimedia technology blog, if you want to take a look!

I wonder if Apple will come out with a similar system...

If you want to see a parody of the Microsoft Surface video, take a look at this
YouTube clip.

Middle school math: Intelligent Tutoring System

Here is an excerpt from a recent article about a new application to assist with middle school-level mathmatics teaching and learning:

"WORCESTER, Mass. – Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Carnegie Mellon University have received a four-year, $2 million award from the federal Department of Education to continue development of a powerful computerized tool designed to help middle school students master mathematical skills.

With the award, researchers will enhance an intelligent tutoring system called ASSISTment, giving it new capabilities and transforming it into an unparalleled tool for both educating students and tracking their progress. The system will give school systems the long-term data on student performance they must report under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. More important, it will provide teachers—and parents—immediate, day-to-day feedback on what students have and have not learned, making it easier to offer individualized instruction to help students master concepts they may be struggling with.

Remarkably, the system does all this at the same time it tutors students. In fact, ASSISTments is the only system that can provide longitudinal data and a benchmark assessment of student skills without taking time out from classroom instruction, says Neil Heffernan, associate professor of computer science at WPI and leader of the ASSISTments research team."

Food for thought! If you know anything about this program, please let me know.

Two Video Resources for Educators: TeacherTube and TeachersTV

TeacherTubeis similar to YouTube, but it was developed with the purpose of providing educators and learners with a safe environment to share education-related videos and materials.

Teachers TVis from the UK. It contains thousands of educational videos that are suitable for classroom use. It also provides a variety of videos that were designed for staff development purposes.

Take a look!

Visit the Interactive Multimedia Technology blog

I've posted a few videoclips of the interactive projects I worked on last semester in my HCI and Ubicomp classes on the Interactive Multimedia Technology blog. The demos were designed for use on an interactive multi-touch table or large-screen display. Here is one example: "Poetry Picture Share", Version 1.