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BETT 2009 – Promethean (2of3): Activsoftware Inspire Edition

This year at BETT 2009 Promethean launched its latest range of Active Classroom solutions. These releases included its latest interactive whiteboard software, Activsoftware Inspire Edition. Again the software is a good example of being forward thinking – it runs across all three operating systems (including Linux). Promethean obviously has the netbook and open source market in mind.

I’ve had a chance to play around with Activesoftware Inspire Edition now – although I’ve not used it yet on a whiteboard. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do this in the next week or so. The first thing I would say about Inspire is that it is incredibly intuitive. I found it took me a bit of time to get my head round earlier versions of Activesoftware. But Inspire seems to be very easy to use, with a lot more drop down boxes and features. I also like the way that you can export flipcharts straight to Promethean Planet so they can be shared with a wider audience.

Inspire edition combines all of the previous Active Software into one application. It combines Active Primary, Active Studio and Active Expression into a very user friendly interface. This is ideal for me as I use Active Expression a lot and means I will no longer have to jump between applications.

The other nice feature about Inspire Edition is that it includes facilities for a multi-touch duel pen capability. This allows two users to use the whiteboard at the same time through the ‘Activarena’ system. I think this is going to be great to use with classes and will add a whole new dimension to the use of whiteboards in the classroom for collaboration, teamwork and competition. Inspire also includes 50 ready made lessons that can be used with the Activarena system. Now all I need is some ActivArena Pens so I can get using this with a class?

Another innovative thing about Activesoftware Inspire Edition is that it’s being given away for free. Promethean are very keen to promote the idea that it’s also available for free to children, families and teachers. All you have to be is a member of Promethean Planet (free to join) and you can download a trail version of the software right away.

What else – oh yes, you don’t have to have a whiteboard to use the software and it would work particularly well on a tablet PC. You can also use the software with other makes of interactive whiteboard. Very clever marketing!

BETT 2009 – Promethean (1of3): Innovation

Promethean really is an innovative company. We have Promethean boards at MGS and also some of their other products including an Active Slate and Active Vote. I also use one of their Active Expression kits for many of my presentations and think that Active Studio is an incredibly advanced piece of software.

I’m also a big fan of Promethean Planet which is a great way for teachers to network, share resources and stay in touch (they currently have over 250, 000 members). The other good thing about Promethean is that they are not frightened to embrace new technology. For example, they have an excellent blog and also a twitter channel. You can even add Promethean to your iGoogle home page for all the latest news. In fact, it seems to me, that they will do everything possible to try and stay in touch and connect with the teaching community. They also sponsored Teachmeet at BETT 2009 – thanks guys!

As a company they also seem keen to embrace Open Source. I notice that their blog runs of a Wordpress Open Source Multi User Platform and their Active Learning courses run off a Moodle Open Source operating system.

At BETT it was nice to catch up with Promethean and see what their Activclassroom plans were for 2009. It was particularly nice to be introduced to Tony Cann, Director and Founder of Promethean – and a very inspiring guy!

Anyway, at the heart of Prometheans 2009 developments is a new piece of software called Activsoftware Inspire Edition. They also launched a new huge new 87-inch Activboard. As with previous boards it’s very accurate and allows children and teachers to lean against the board while writing. Other new products included Activsound and Activremote – I’ll tackle these products in more detail as separate posts.

BETT 2009 – Mini Projectors

I’ve already predicted that we will see an increase in Interactive Tables between now and BETT 2010. The other product that I’m sure we will see a lot more of will be mini projectors.

At BETT 2009 a got a quick demo of the new Acer mini projector – the quality was impressive for such a small device. Andy Black also managed to get a sneak preview of the pico projector from Toshiba. Apparently it wasn’t on display as it was the only one in the country. Pictures over on his website.

I’ve already written about how projectors are starting to appear in mobile phones and I am sure that this sort of thing will be even more common by this time next year. For example, at the recent CES show in the USA Samsung unveiled its projector phone which includes a TV tuner.

These devices have a lot of interesting potential for education.

BETT 2009 – RM ‘Shaping Education for the Future’ (2 of 2)

This is the second of two posts on the RM ‘Shaping Education for the Future’ exhibition that was in the Olympia 2 Building during BETT 2009. My first post concentrated on some of the technologies that were in display in the area including 3D projection, digital video and interactive floors. You can read the first post here.

This follow up post will concentrate on some of the other things that were in the area. They aren’t necessarily ICT based but may certainly contribute to what schools might look like in the future.

Furniture

There was big emphasis on furniture in the exhibition. The basic requirements for modern school furniture seem to be movable (and therefore light), ergonomic and adaptable. Furniture also has to be fit for purpose, its going to be uses by lots of children so must be hardwearing. Here are some of the designs that I saw – none of which are rocket science.

The Isis t41 60degree Table – This table can be used individually or it can be slotted together in a variety of patters for use in group work. What I thought was well thought out about it was that every table has wheels on them to make them easy to transport  around the class or from one place to another. The table also has a flip top which means they can be stacked easily and then wheeled to somewhere else. I think that future learning spaces will need to be as flexible as possible and designs like this will be able to quickly transform a tradition classroom setting (rows of tables with chairs) into a more open and creative space for other learning activities.

The picture below is of some of the other tables that I saw. These ones don’t have wheels (which means they will be cheaper) but again emphasis is on flexibility and the ability to have a single table or groups of tables. The triangular shape of the tables means that they can be places in a number of creative layouts to best suit the classroom space or the learning activity. The thing that I really like about these tables is that they are colourful and bright!

I also really liked the idea of the Newton Chair (also pictures above)and the children that I spoke to at the exhibition said that it was a lot better than the chairs they currently had at school. Again the chairs are easily stackable and they are light which means they are easy to move around.

What’s nice about it is that it has foot bar for comfort and it is also designed to be sat on in two positions. The first position is designed for when a student is working. When you work you naturally lean forward and the chair rocks forward with you. The second position is for when you are listening. You can lean back on these chair and the chair leans back with you. The Newton Chairs safety feet prevent you leaning back to far.

Adaptability

As well as furniture adaptability there were some other products to simply change the design of the learning space. The one I liked the most was the thinking pod. I could instantly see a use for these in modem schools to provide extra meeting or study space

Creativity

I just loved this. I’m sure it wouldn’t be cost economical – but it would brighten up any school or  classroom!

Simple Ideas are still the most powerful?

The simple other idea that I really liked was this table. It’s a table that you can write on with dry wipe pen. It would be great for gathering ideas for groupwork and it would also be a lot cheaper than an interactive table!

The whole experience within the ‘Shaping Education for the Future’ exhibition can only de described as a futuristic IKEA – some fantastic products, ideas and innovation. I really enjoyed my two hours here and I’m already wondering what they will come up with next year?

BETT 2009 – RM ‘Shaping Education for the Future’ (1 of 2)

RM did a good job in the Olympia 2 Building at BETT 2009 where they set aside a whole area titled ‘Shaping Education for the Future’. Not only was their good coffee, nice biscuits and a free internet café. But there was also a chance to look at some of the New Technologies that might be coming in the direction of schools over the next few years.

First Up was an interactive floor (by Virtigo – I think?). It worked by a ceiling mounted projector that projects down onto any surface. A small camera recognises the uses shadow on the surface – which allows the user to interact. It’s multi-user so lots of people can interact at any time. The children that I saw using this device were having a great time completing puzzles, revealing objects and working collaboratively. I’m sure that with time more educational activities will be developed for this particular piece of hardware and I can certainly see products like this being used in schools of the future.

Next I looked at an interesting system from Optimusic. The system uses our sensor lights to create an interactive multimedia environment. Which in simple terms means it’s a switch controlled by light. The user breaks the spotlight beam and a sensor activates sounds, images and other events on the computer. Again the children that I saw using this system seemed very engaged and I particularly liked the virtual DJ application that allowed children to compose music by moving their hands through the light beams. I’ll be keeping an eye on this product as one of their next stages for development is to produce software that works with the Optimusic system to improve maths and numeracy.

After I had finished being a virtual DJ, I moved into the Video and Media across the curriculum area. Where I had bit of fun trying to be like Harry Potter! The video below shows my picture on the television and then me disappearing. This was achieved using a chroma key. My thanks go to Andrew Watt (formally of Edinburgh City) who kindly captured the footage on my flip camera.

I remain convinced that digital video is a powerful way to enhance the learning experience. I hope that all new schools that are built in the future will set space aside for a small video studio where students can learn about the media and be creative. Most importantly I hope schools will continue to broadcast their student’s successes on school websites or video sharing sites. We have some very talented young people in the UK and their work deserves to get an audience. A fantastic example of this is some of the work produced by the Thomas Hardy School in Dorchester.

Moving on I visited the science area where I saw a 3D projector in action. Again this is defiantly something that we will see in schools sooner rather than later. The users view the material wearing 3D glasses and the content really bounces out of the screen. I watched a really good demo of a biology lesson where students were learning about anatomy and physiology – your really did fly into and through the body. I also saw Google Earth and Second Life being shown in 3D – it looked amazing!

Microsoft Surface was also on display in the Shaping Education for the Future Zone. I’ve written about that previously.

In my next post I will look at some of the interesting furniture and other ideas that were on display.

BETT 2009 – Interactive Multi Touch Tables (RM. SMART, VIPRO and Microsoft Surface)

 

Multi-touch tables were one of the big themes of BETT 2009 and I think they will be even bigger and cheaper for BETT 2010. I have to say I like the idea of multi-touch tables and some of the children that I saw using them at demo during BETT were naturally collaborating, communicating and learning. I know it’s not just the hardware that’s important and I was impressed at the range of innovative software that is staring to be developed for such products. I can see a real use for this type of development in education, but I think the costs will be very hard to justify at the moment for most schools.

In no particular order, here are some of the interactive tables that I saw at the show:

1. RM Interactive ClassTable

A really simple idea, that I had already seen the prototype of at the 2008 Scottish Learning Festival. The RM class table combines a Hitachi ultra short throw projector, an eBeam interactive whiteboard system and a portable desk specially designed to allow horizontal projection. Although the system is not multi-touch. I don’t think it will be long until e-beam release this technology. The picture above shows Google Earth being used with the system.

2. SMART Table

I had heard a lot about this product before going to the BETT show and I was keen to see it in action. I was very impressed with what I saw. The SMART table claims to be the world’s first multitouch, multiuser table for primary education. It is an interactive learning centre that lets students get hands-on with collaborative activities.

The software behind the SMART table also seemed very clever. There were lots of parts of it that were highly customisable. I would love to try one of these devices out with one of my local primary schools and I will be interested to see how a secondary version of the same product develops with time.

For more information on the SMART Table view this YouTube clip.

3. VIPRO Interactive Table

The VIPRO Interactive table gets the prize for being the largest Interactive table that a saw at the BETT show. There were two versions of the table. One that used eBeam technology, similar to the RM Interactive class table and one that used a different type of multi-touch interface (I’m not quite sure how it worked!). The big difference (apart from size and cost!) between the VIPRO and the RM Interactive was that all of the VIPRO products are rear projection straight onto reinforced safety glass.

This means that children are able to access all four sides of the table – as one of the sides is not taken up by the short throw projector (as this is under the table).

When I was having a play with this table during the last day of the show – I was impressed with how sensitive it was and once again the emerging range of software looked fantastic.

4. Microsoft Surface

Surface is without a doubt the ultimate multitouch table (it should be at the price!). At the time of the BETT show there were only two in the country and they were both at BETT. One was on the Microsoft Stand and one was in the RM Schools of the Future Area. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play with the one in the RM area.

What can I say? It has very smooth applications, its intuitive, it’s clever, it interacts with mobile devices, it knows what side of the table you are on and it has huge potential to help you with their learning.

For more surface videos visit the Microsoft Surface Site.

The big question is who is going to be the first manufacturer to lend me one of these resources for a really robust education trail?

BETT 2009 – Cyber Coach (Dance Mats and Exergaming)

Computer Games in Education and Exergameing is a big interest of mine at the moment. At Musselburgh Grammar School we are currently conducting a research project with Herriot Watt University into the use of Dance Mats and Electronic Dance for cardiovascular fitness and increased participation in physical exercise. At BETT 2009 I was interested to see a new exergaming product called Cyber Coach.

It was interesting for three reasons:

The first reason is that this dancemat system seems cheaper than other dancemat systems currently on the market and it also looks very robust.

The second reason was as well as the traditional electronic dance game that you get with most systems. Cyber Coach also has a number of other multi player games that up to 32 people can play via the wireless dancemat system.

These games included fun games such as ‘Space Blaster’ where you, ‘Blast your way though deep space eliminating your opponents one by one. Take on your friends in an all action multiplayer battle’.

Some of the games were educational designed to test your memory such as ‘Follow Me’ where you, ‘Follow the steps on screen. The more steps in a row, the more points you win’.

There were also strategy games such as ‘Soccer Sevens’ where ‘Players take to the field and show their football skills, taking on friends or playing as a team to compete against the computer.’

But the best thing about all these games was that they all required rapid movement and exercise outside the normal confines of traditional PE. I instantly though that this could be a really interesting evolution of dancemat technology.

The third reason why I liked what Cyber Coach had on offer was because of their virtual fitness instructor. The idea behind this was that a virtual fitness instructor is projected onto the screen and gives the class instructions. I was really impressed with the quality of the filming and the way that all of the professional athletes conducting the routines were really child centred and motivating.

The virtual Instructor fitness lessons included street dance, aerobics, disco dancing, pilates, yoga, boxing, cheerleading, step and lots more. Although I don't believe that virtual fitness instructors should ever replace classroom teachers. I do think a Cyber Coach might make an interesting addition to any PE department.

Does anyone have any experience of using this system in schools?

BETT 2009 – MissonMaker and Elenox

We have Missonmaker software in the school and some of our classes have started to use it to develop computer games. It’s powerful stuff with a real education focus that can be used to develop literacy and whole host of other skills. I’m particularly keen to explore the use of games design software in modern foreign languages.

MissionMaker lets students rapidly create visually 3D rich worlds for first-person 'Missions' - complete with sets, animated characters, dialogue and music.

Students can:

• select elements from an extensive object library to create a unique game world
• create and animate 3D characters
• import their own music, graphics and video
• set rules for game play.

The Consolarium have completed some good work on using MisionMaker in schools.

At BETT 2009 the guys from Immersive Education (the makers of Missionnmaker, Mediastage, Kar2ouche and other great software) were sharing their stand with Elonex. Now Elonex make some good products as well, including a £100 netbook. The big, personal, problem that I have with Elonex is that I ordered my netbook back in March 2008 with a £10 deposit and I Still haven’t received it yet. This is despite several emails and attempts to get through their switchboard. Anybody else having similar problems?

BETT 2009 – The National Education Network

I sometimes forget that GLOW is part of the National Education Network and I needed the big sign (as shown above) to remind me about this at BETT 2009.

‘The National Educational Network is a dedicated, educationally focused resource for teaching and learning without constraints of time or location. Harnessing our unique expertise, we enable a safe, secure, collaborative and creative learning experience for pupils, teachers and parents.’

One good thing about the National Educational Network that people don’t realise is that it contains links to a huge amount of educational resources for all aspects of the curriculum. It also has a useful e-safety audit tool.

The resources are all categorised by age / stage and subject:

By following the links I re-visited a few little gems that I had forgotten about including:

• The Open Weather Forecast – Move the dials on the weather forecast to develop numeracy skills.
• The World of Sport – Geographical activities with a sporting theme.
• The Far Away Fruit Salad – Get your five a day with a geographical theme.
• The Climate Change Portal – A One stop shop for climate change resources.
• Study Skills - How to become an effective learner and manage your own learning.

What’s your favorite resource from the National Education Network?

BETT 2009 – Open Source Schools

To be honest I wasn’t that impressed with the range of seminars on offer at BETT 2009. Personally, I thought that the quality of seminars and workshops on offer at the Scottish Learning Festival were a lot more wide ranging. However BETT and the SLF really are two different shows.

One seminar that I wish I had got along to see was the Open Source Schools Presentation by Miles Berry, Michelle Walters, Jose Picardo and Doug Belshaw. I’ve embedded the slideshare version of their presentation below and look forward to watching the video when it becomes available.

OpenSourceSchools

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: oss opensource)

Nice work folks!