MANAGING ICT
Experts at Durham
University are researching
ways of enhancing ICT
learning spaces. Central
to this is a new high-tech
desk containing a built-
in multi-touch surface.
Edmund West explains
OUNG SCI-FI fans will be
Y
delighted by a new interactive,
electronic touch-screen desk that
has been created by researchers at
Help desks
Durham University.
The researchers are from the
Technology Enhanced Learning
Research Group (TEL), based within the Active
Learning in Computing (ALC) Centre, which is a centre Hands on: Dr Elizabeth Burd tries out the touch-screen desk with primary school children. The technology could be used in all schools
of excellence in teaching and learning in computer
science at the university. confident that all schools, public or private, can afford Dr Burd said that the desks are easy to install and have been around for two years, how many people do
The research began after concerns that, too often, the new innovation, because it boasts free, open-source perform well when it comes to energy consumption. you know who use them?”
ICT requires pupils to adopt a “move to use” approach, software. She explained: “While it does introduce a new Dr Burd was more pragmatic: “I suspect that’s hyped
which detracts from technology’s educational value. She explained: “We can get the government to power source, it reduces the need for individual PCs up. We want you to do anything with it. Pupils can rest
The outcome of the work, which was funded to support these initiatives, and all the software will be and the need for duplicating because we can fit four their books on it like a wooden desk if they want.
the tune of £1.5 million, is the proposal for the new given to schools for free. It is open-source software pupils on a single table. With traditional computers, “I don’t work in a paperless office. I don’t think
SynergyNet learning environment, central to which is so it is adaptable if the teacher has the capability and when we have one mouse and keyboard, we can only anyone does. If you do have an electronic book you
a new form of desk that contains a large built-in multi- because it is open source, they are obliged to release it have one person working at a time. But multi-touch can put special tags in front of topics or words, to
touch surface. Also to be found in the “SynergyNet into the community.” may be the equivalent of four old PCs.” encourage people to explore concepts further; or you
classroom” is the communication software needed to Schools that are interested, however, will still have Monica Cross, principal at St Matthew’s Academy can have a class discussion. Paper has its place and so
allow transitions between large-screen displays and the to pay for the hardware, which right now costs £6,000, in Leeds, which is piloting the software, added: “Their does technology.”
desks themselves. although it is hoped to fall to £1,000 eventually. energy consumption will be marginally higher, but I And what about the pupils’ reaction? “They love it,”
The desks have touch-screens operated with pens Dr Burd added: “It is the hardware that costs money, don’t think a couple of extra computer desks would Ms Cross said. “It’s the interactivity they like and the
or fingers and use infrared to tell single from multiple we’re not developing that. It’s already come down make much difference.” fact that they can do it together. You can use it on your
touches. They are designed to enable collaboration in price in the last few months, but at the moment It seems the new desks could challenge the own, but the whole point is collaborative.” SecEd
among pupils while the teacher supervises via an we have to have them specially made. We have to interactive whiteboard’s place in the classroom and
interactive whiteboard. constantly build them as bespoke before they are mass help with student apathy, but will they create “paperless • Edmund West is a freelance education journalist.
The project overview states: “Our enthusiastic manufactured, to ensure schools are happy with the classrooms” without books or paper?
claims for the positive impact of this technology on design. Ms Cross was certain: “Never, perhaps in a couple
Further information
learning are based on its ability to facilitate classroom “Coming from the state sector myself, I should hope of hundred years,” she said. Active Learning in Computing: www.dur.ac.uk/alic/
dialogue and pupil collaboration.” all schools can afford this. All the predictions are it will “Books are easy to access, you can fit them in your The Technology Enhanced Learning Research Group:
ALC director, senior lecturer Dr Elizabeth Burd, is cost the same as an interactive whiteboard.” pocket and they don’t break down. Electronic books www.dur.ac.uk/computer.science/research/tel/
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10 SecEd • February 12 2009
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