Hi, Robert
So you are from Microsoft? I guess I should try to catch your ear…
I would love to conduct research on the Surface before I am old enough to retire!
I’m a school psychologist, and I think that multi-touch technology has lots of potential, if it could be re-configured for more flexible use. I have some ideas for game-like applications for assessment and intervention activities that would work well on a table or drafting-board like display.
The table could also support group interventions, such as social and cooperative skills activities, and allow for a range of therapeutic, creative interactions. I’m in the middle of attending a series of neuropsychology training institutes about evaluating and treating young people who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries, and I know that there is a special need for effective cognitive rehabilitation applications for that population.
Table applications could support cooperative learning and creative group activities in classroom settings. They could also support group counseling and social skills training too. This is important, given the increase in number of young people who have autism spectrum disorders.
If Microsoft decides to donate a table or two for research, consider UNC-Charlotte’s HCI lab. The contacts are Celine LaTulipe and Heather Richter. Celine’s Ph.D. research focused on applications that supported the use of two mice. She later converted some of her work to a touch-table application. (I am sure that the Visualization lab and the Games lab would also appreciate a table or two.)
You could also think about donating a few to public libraries. Matt Gullet is the director of emerging technologies for the Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. He started the “Gaming in the Library” program, which is a hit in many library branches. ImagineOn, the main branch for children in teens in the county, would also be a good place for an interactive table. They are ahead of the curve in many respects- the library participates in the Teen Library program in Second Life.
Youth, Technology, and Gaming at the Library
Many of my blog posts have something to do with touch-screen computing - here is a link to one about design considerations for classroom settings: Emerging Interactive Technologies, Emerging Interactions, and Emerging Integrated Form Factors
Lynn
still without any breakthrough of this?? I think you guys are more creative than MS!
