Touch Tables and Smartboards for future of learning
Young people are already accustomed to dealing with new technologies and interactivity. Technologies such as iphones and ipads are a household norm that children love to play with and discover information. Which is why multitouch tables, kiosks and interactive whiteboards have becomes a natural learning interface because it compliments their leisure activities.
Multitouch Tables and Whiteboards allows teachers a new way to engage with their students in the classroom. Results from a three-year project working with over 400 pupils, mostly eight to 10 year olds, show that collaborative learning increases both fluency and flexibility in maths. The studies also show that using an Interactive ‘Smart’ Desk can have benefits over doing mathematics on paper.
‘The children really enjoy doing maths in this way and are always disappointed when you turn the desks off. We were delighted to observe groups of students enhancing others’ understanding of mathematical concepts. Such collaboration just did not happen when students used paper-based approaches.’
The roles that multitouch systems could fulfill in an educational institution are numerous, whether elementary school, high school or university. Multitouch tables promote student collaboration, engagement and student-led learning.
Children exhibit positive emotions and develop positive attitudes toward learning with multitouch tables, demonstrate greater positive affect and interest, and often show a preference for working with peers rather than independently.
Touch tables and kiosks can also replace the common access and attendance systems, both for employees, students and teachers.
For teachers, a specific software can be created to provide immediate information for a student’s situation, their attendance or a direct and quick communication between parents, teachers and President of the institution.