Testing touchscreen tables in classrooms

Touch test tables in the classroom
By Heather Kelly , CNN
Laptop forget small - the classroom in the future could become a full tables in touch screen interactive .
Given that many of the children can sit rapt in front of the touch screen wonderful for hours , these devices appear normal for the semester . But as is the case with any new technology to teach, it is important to make sure that it really helps students learn and teachers teach before they fall into the factor " cool ."
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom tables touch screen in the classroom for hands - on experiments and found that the technology ( and training ) still need to be improved before they are fully effective. The researchers say that you are one of the first studies of this kind of technology in the classroom real , rather than laboratory situations .
Tables are used in a real classroom for the past six weeks for lessons in geography and English and history. The five teachers to participate in a study prepared projects based on what is currently teaching children in the classroom. Each table is used for 2-4 students each time , but the creators say that the table can hold up to six students . On the screen was a collaborative program in writing and the application of so - called digital puzzles , specially designed for desktops and wide .
These types of tables are commercially available and can be seen in the wild in places such as museums. SMART Technologies , for example , makes a table with a 42 - inch screen , 1080p at $ 7,749 . This interactive tables prices probably will fall in the future, but still a great investment in any school district .
And before you invest heavily in schools these tools , and the authors of the study say more research class and program settings to be done.
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Some of the issues raised by the same that arise in most of the Group's business . Some students may perform the required tasks faster than others, and others lose focus and behind . Teachers in the study finds that they can not always tell when students were working against only pretend to work and move objects around the screen.
Suggestions for improving the tools include a more detailed indicators of progress for individual students . The researchers also recommends that more flexibility for applications that teachers can control and modify and stop the lessons . In the evolution of the old school , the researchers also recommended that the programs include an option for exporting children so that they can progress to print.
The researchers also stressed the need for more jobs and control of teacher - friendly applications , as well as appropriate training for any educator who plans to integrate this kind of tables with their ranks curriculum .
" - Do lesson activity to make the most of the teachers they have to make some of the classroom activities they have planned ," said Dr. Ahmed Kharrufa in a statement.
In other words , it will be up to the most advanced technology will not be able to replace good teachers .