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.

Technology and Alternative Cognitive Assessment?

I've been struggling to provide alternative assessments to use when I work with students who have previously tested within the severe to profound range of cognitive ability. Often these young people have more than one disability and it is very difficult to identify "hidden" cognitive strengths or areas of emerging skills.

Although some of students do not have the skills necessary to point to items on a test stimulus card, or understand the directions required by traditional cognitive test batteries, some of them they CAN point and "click" on a screen, using a mouse or an AT device.

I know of several students who test within the severe range of cognitive ability who who can navigate websites to find entertainment, music, learning activities, and special interests, often without assistance. These skills are important, but they are not included in standarized cognitive or adaptive behavior assessments.

Some people are working hard to figure out a "better way".

Organization SoftTouch, Inc. provided a workshop for educators of students who have severe disabilities addressing this concern. The workshop,
"Show Me What You Know — Alternate Assessment for Students with Autism, Cognitive and Physical Disabilities", was presented at a the Conference 2006: Technology & Persons with Disabilities.

The people at CAST- Center for Applied Special Technology, known for getting the word out about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), are also concerned about the need for accessible assessments.

I'm interested in alternative assessments and how cognitive evaluation procedures can embody the principles of universal design and access. School psychologists need more tech in our toolboxes if we are to provide meaningful assessments. This technology needs to embody the principals of "universal usability", a topic that I'll address more in-depth in a future blog.

We also need to look at current research in related fields, such as cogntive science. Here is an example:

According to the article in the Charlotte Observer (April 12, 2007), IBM volunteered to work with researchers from the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience to develop computer games designed to test the reasoning , learning, and memory skills of primates. The computer games are installed on touch-screen monitors embeeded in primate habitats in several zoos, including Zoo Atlanta.

I haven't done much reading in this area, but from what I can see, the research with primates has the potential to help develop better methods of assessing cognitive functioning of people who have strengths and abilities that can not be assessed through traditional psychological and cognitive tests.

Interesting Resources:

"The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the national network of community-based Resource Centers, Developers, Vendors, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies."

Julie Martin-Malivel's website Dr. Martin-Malivel conducts comparative cognition research in human and non-human primates.

"Chimpanzee Facial Expressions are Helping Researchers Understand Human Emotional Communication" This is being conducted by the Yerkes National Primate Research Center Cognitive Testing Facility. Food for thought.

"Universal Usability"
Universal Usability principles ensure that web sites and web-based applications are accessible. I think that these principles should be considered when planning cognitive and related assessments for people who have low incidence and/or multiple disabilities. (Leave a comment- I want to know what people think about this!)

Novint Falcon 3-D Haptic Game Controller - This device looks like it will have great potential for young people with visual and mobility impairments.

Link: Spatial Thinking, Education, and the Workforce

If you are working with teens who have mild learning disabilities, you know that some of these students have non-verbal, spatial abilities that are much stronger than their peers, even though some of these teens are struggling in school and have low motivation for classes that are delivered in the traditional word-based lecture-discussion format. Spatial skills are important for many jobs related to science and technology, and new technology will require workers who are good at visual thinking and communicating.

What does this mean?

"Spatial Thinking, Education, and the Workforce", written by Ann B. Johnson, from ESRI(a company that provides GIS -Geographical Information Systems software, training, and related services), discusses a report conducted by the U.S. National Research Council in 2005, "Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum". In a nutshell, the article highlights the importance of spatial thinking in education and in present and future jobs in the workplace.

Parents and educators of students who have good visual-spatial skills need to take a look at this article. How can we assure that our teens have access to coursework that speaks to their strenghths and also prepares them for post-secondary education and employment?

Virtual Field Trips and the TechSavvy Educator

I've been busy with school and work, sorry for the delay in posting to the blog.

A great resource for supporting engaged learning through technology is the TechSavvy Educator blog. You can subscribe to the blog and recieve information about updates through your e-mail.

I especially liked the post about the Kid's Travel Agency, dated 1/31/07, by "Ben", a fifth grade teacher in Michigan. He is using Google Earth and local travel agencies for this project. Google Earth is awesome when you work with on an interactive touch screen, such as a SmartBoard.

Mark van 't Hooft's Blog Ubiquitous Computing

Mark is a technology specialist and researcher at Kent State university. His blog, Ubiquitous Thoughts: Thoughts and Ideas about Teaching, Learning, and Ubiquitous Computing , contains a wealth of information and links. Take a look at his post about the importance of technology and media education.

Mark is the chair of the Special Interest Group for Handheld Computing of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). More information about his research can be found on the Research Center for Educational Technology website.

Technnology is rapidly improving in the area of mobile and ubiquitous computing - visit Mark's blog if you want to keep informed!

GeoBeats Travel Video Resources

GeoBeats is a website that offers a variety of short, professional travel videoclips. These videos would be great for social studies activities. Take a look!

Tango! An innovative augmented communication device from Blink Twice

Tango!

According to the Blink Twice website:

"Blink Twice is led by our CEO, Richard Ellenson, a USSAAC board member and advertising industry veteran whose son, Thomas, has cerebral palsy. Wanting to incorporate some of the energetic communication technologies from his industry into the world of speech-generating devices—and drawing from personal experience—Ellenson reached out to many of the world's most well-respected companies. In the past three years, Blink Twice has worked with companies as diverse as frog design, Flextronics, and Nickelodeon to develop new approaches to building communication for youngsters and school-aged children."

Watch this video about a "super touch screen" for Google Earth from Perceptive Pixel!

This video is a great demonstration of how innovative human-computer interaction technology and techniques can be used with Google Earth (and more), via a wide screen touch screen. Can you imagine what it would be like to have this available to students in every classroom?! Be patient, it takes a while to load. You can link to it directly here or here.

I found this on the Google Earth Blog.

Read this article!

-Lynn

GamaSutra article about children and games

Here are some interesting statistics about children and games from an article in GamaSutra:

"The NPD Group, which also tracks the monthly video game industry sales data in North America, has released findings from an online survey titled Kids & Digital Content, which found that children as young as 2 years old are playing video games and downloading digital content.

The survey, which was completed by U.S. parents, found that children have become increasingly in tune with technology, as children between the ages of 2 and 14 are downloading games and watching downloaded and streaming content over the internet through computers and other personal electronics."

Food for thought!

-Lynn

Youth, Technology, Gaming, and the Library

If you work with kids and teens, it is important to keep up with what technology. If you work in a low-tech environment, you might not be aware of some innovative programs that are offered through some public libraries. I thought I'd share some of the exciting things that are happening in my region, spearheaded by Matt Gullet, the Director of Emerging Technology at the PLCMC (Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg) and Kelley Czarnecki, a teen librarian.

Matt maintains the "Youth and Technology" blog. This blog focuses on the use of technology " in creative ways to enrich the lives of youth". This is a great resource!

Matt and Kelley are involved in the Teen Second Life Project and recently wrote the cover article of a recent School Library Journal, "Meet the New You".

More info:

"Charlotte, NC - Oct. 6, 2006 - The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) and the Alliance Library System are pleased to announce a partnership to collaborate on the "Eye4You Alliance," an island in Teen Second Life that will offer virtual library services to teens.

Teen Second Life is a 3-D, international gathering place on the Internet where teens 13-17 can make friends, play, learn and create. Teens create a digital version of themselves, called an avatar, that they use to travel around the "virtual world," meet new people and participate in a variety of activities.

The goal of "Eye4You Alliance" is to create an interactive and informative space for young adults within the Teen Second Life virtual world and to collaborate with other educators who serve youth and are already present in Teen Second Life and in real life.

"At a time when many libraries are offering collaborative spaces through social tools, a 3-D immersive environment is the next logical step to libraries remaining relevant to teenagers," said Helene Blowers, director of Information Technology at PLCMC. "This project is an opportunity to engage teens in services and activities that will excite them in a place they already are." -Second Life Library Blog (Note - the Second Life Library Blog was recently moved to InfoIsland.org)

GAMING AT THE LIBRARY!

The PLCMC offers teen gaming events at various libraries throughout the county, and a Gaming Zone for all ages at the main library's Virtual Village. The library has a set of new AlienWare laptop computers, used for LAN parties:

more pictures of the Game Zone program

Comment:

I'd like to see the library purchase Dimenxian, a 3D game that teaches Algebra. It has multiplayer capabilities, so it would be great on the new AlienWare LAN system. For more information, see the Tabula Digita site.



ImaginOn, the children and teen's main library, offers many opportunities that involve technology, including a video production studio, Studio i. The library offers workshops such as " Take Photos for Your Webpage" , "Make MySpace Photos Come to Life", and events such as a Dance Dance Revolution tournament, Family Gaming Night, and video game club meetings.

If you don't know what is going on at the library these days, I urge you to find out. Share this information with parents, colleagues, and the young people in your life.

-Lynn

Link to Scientific Learning, developers of Fast ForWord.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools recently announced that it will be spending $300,000.00 on Fast ForWord software (from Scientific Learning) to support reading and related skills. According to an article in the Charlotte Observer:

"The program is an exercise in neuroscience disguised as a game. Kids see animated figures, for example, and must indicate whether a sound's frequency and pitch is getting higher or lower. Or they play a version of Memory that forces them to match sounds such as bit and pit.

The games slow the speech so kids can succeed initially. As they answer more questions correctly, the difficulty increases. If kids make mistakes, the computer tailors the games to improve weaknesses.

The repetition improves the brain. After eight to 12 weeks, students' reading abilities make an average of at least a year's progress, the software's maker says."

If you are a school psychologist, special educator, speech/language pathologist, reading specialist, teacher, or parent who is familiar with this program, feel free to comment about this on this blog!

I am particularly interested to learn if you are a graduate student doing research in schools using Fast ForWord. What do you think? How does this method compare with other methods?

(Note: I do not own Fast ForWord software- - and I'm not affiliated with Scientific Learning. )

Link to article from eSchool News: Six Ed-Tech Trends to Watch in 2007

Are you interested in learning about the trends in educational technology for 2007? This on-line article from eSchool News gives a good overview of what's coming in the near future.

Six ed-tech trends to watch in 2007
"Service-oriented architecture, ‘cloud computing’ among the developments sure to have an impact on educational technology in the coming year " By Gregg W. Downey, Editor, eSchool News

Link to Silversprite, a blog about the use of games for learning. (click here for link)

Take the time to visit John Kirriemuir's blog, SilverSprite. He is a self-employed researcher and consultant who specializes in the use of technologies to support education and learning. His blog provides good resources for educators who are interested in using games and learning, especially through "Commercial Off the Shelf" games that can be easily adapted to the curriculum.

Here is a description of Kirriemuir's blog:

"Examples of COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) games being used for curriculum-based learning. These games are designed purely for entertainment, and not for learning or teaching. By compiling these examples, we show that such games are being used in schools and colleges by teachers and other educators, as part of curriculum-based learning."

eSchoolNews Educator's Resource Center

If you are looking for educational technology resources, the eSchool News Online website has a wealth of information, including a video resource center.

Link to article: Are you a Techno-Constructivist? Education World

This article is from Education World: Are you a Techno-Constructivist? This article is worth reading, especially if you are a teacher who is interested learning about a "real-world model for teachers adapting technology to the classroom."