Looking Out 5: Amy

Topic: Sense of Touch

1. Microsoft Multi-Touch Sphere

People: Hrvoje Benko, Andy Wilson, Ravin Balakrishnan, Billy Chen

Materials: sensors, diffused sphere, projection, LEDs

applications which the sphere possesses are: 
omni-directional video-conferencing application, finger painting, picture and video browser, interactive globe visualization

information from http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/benko/projects/sphere/

 

 

 Interaction: people can play and use the sphere to learn new details about topics in museums, schools, libraries. This product allows for "play" and "touch" to be integrated into learning and adds another human sense into the learning process we experience each day. 


2. Paradox Beach Interactive Installation

information from http://blog.emptyfield.com/2006/11/paradox-beach-interactive-installation.html

components: sound, video tracking technology, floor video projection

Projected onto the floor and children can drag and touch the ground to move the interactive components of the installation. Children use their bodies to learn. In this installation, they learn about numbers.

"With simple rules a computer animates graphic forms so they react to people. Children make decisions with their bodies and their minds, as they navigate through a story. Our recent experience with learning games tells us that kinds benefit from the sophistication of "adult" work combined with an honest, direct approach to stories and goals. We make these works for the kind of kids we were: curious, thoughtful and challenging." 
quoted from http://blog.emptyfield.com/2006/11/paradox-beach-interactive-installation.html

This installation is interesting as it allows children to explore learning through moving and touching. They learn more by using more of their senses. Video games use a similar idea to make learning fun, but allowing the children to move and run allows them to further retain the information as they enjoy the experience and it doesnt appear to be "book learning". 

The Sphere and this installation can help initiate the important of physical activity at a young age. Teaching through interactive components further associates information with "fun" and therefore children can continue the importance of exercise based on what they learned as kids. Trying to find new ways of working out through an inspiration and give-back component.