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education@misco.co.uk 10 | SPECIAL REPORT | NEW & EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
SCOUT
ABOVE: Scout's design helps to engage young learners, offering them ownership and independence. BELOW: Digital whiteboard technology has become ubiquitous
resources, but also other types of educational equipment, including sporting gear. Accessed via a colourful, child-friendly interface,
users navigate the website accompanied by Scout – an extra-terrestrial explorer discovering a world of knowledge. "Scout was chosen to represent the philosophy of exploring the information available to us all," said McPhee. The system builds on Softlink's former success
with the Alice library management system but, assert the developers, "takes it to the next level". Allowing users to personalise experiences by using avatars and customising screen presentation, Scout also has a social aspect. Users can review and recommend resources, engendering a collaborative learning environment of supportive peers. "Scout's design helps to engage young learners, offering them ownership and independence," said Softlink UK's general manager. These tools can be made accessible to parents to
encourage involvement, as can simplified reports on children's progress. Administrators too may benefit from the system, which can integrate existing databases and virtual learning environments to enable holistic monitoring of school activities and inventory. Equipped with data from Scout, "staff can target
the delivery and promotion of resources to particular students or groups, presenting new or relevant resources when they initially log on," said McPhee, adding: "If a student identifies a particular interest group that appeals, they can similarly be alerted to additional resources on the topic. Scout’s overall methodology is based on proactivity. Of course, it isn't only students whose interest in
PRESTIGIO MULTIBOARD
new hardware must be sustained. According to Nesta, teachers need to be fully engaged if the potential of digital technologies is to be realised. Whilst the sophistication of devices increases, a simultaneous challenge for manufacturers is to maintain, or simplify ease of use to ensure that their capabilities are fully exploited. Prestigio, a multinational electronics brand, has recently made an initial foray into this environment, launching a new digital whiteboard, based
on its Multiboard product. Available in 42” and 84” sizes, the interactive units are pre-equipped with a suite of software, offering several practical features. Handwriting recognition is supported, and the products are able to communicate with portable devices. Pre-existing content can also be dynamically adapted in real time, adding a kinetic flourish to classroom presentations and tuition. "Using tablets, students can share information such
as pictures and videos in real time, using bespoke applications like EasiNote and mClass," said Martin MacNamara, Prestigio's UK sales director. Combining hardware and software, the devices can
also support pre-recorded lessons, online learning and live, participatory sessions, anticipating that voice for text, kinetic gesture technology and eye recognition may be the next standard set of features to be added to digital whiteboards. The company's investment in the marketplace is an acknowledgement that digital whiteboard technology has become the norm. "It's ubiquitous," said MacNamara. "Critically, the experience for operators is becoming more refined and user-friendly. Initially regarded as a novelty, touchscreens are now widely accepted, and can be intuitively accessed by adults and students." Successfully naturalising new interfaces so that
they're as comfortably familiar as a mouse and keyboard is key to sustaining any new technology, and a formidable challenge faced by developers of 3D printers currently being introduced to UK schools. Offering children a means to directly manufacture their own creations, the medium is of particular relevance to STEM disciplines. By printing small objects, which can be combined, students can also generate parts with which to assemble larger, more complex units or devices. If optimally exploited, 3D printers could thus help fulfil one of Nesta's key recommendations – that learning should be enhanced through making, particularly in groups. Michael Gove has recently propelled the technology into the spotlight, proclaiming that "3D printers are revolutionising manufacturing and it is vital that we start teaching the theory and practice in our schools." But just how realistic is it that these complicated devices will be fully exploited?
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