Microsoft Surface and education are like peanut butter and jelly. Microsoft Surface is like that with a number of markets, but there's something about kids interacting with a computer in a very accessible way that seems right. Microsoft worked with Infusion and RM (who also worked with Lightbox Education) to create applications for schools. The video below is a video case study of what happened when they dropped it off for a day with teachers and students. You'll also see some of the Microsoft applications (puzzles) and VectorForm (Surface DJ) featured in the video below. You can also see more education concepts that we've covered in the past with nsquared. Both were at BETT with Microsoft Surface.
As a BONUS, here's an excellent video created by DPE UK which goes in depth about the development of the Finguistics application with RM and Infusion. This doesn't just relate to education, but more broadly to the development of Microsoft Surface applications as I've covered in the past (1)(2)(3).
What do you think?
I wonder if Surface would be an easier way to help teachers learn the value of being a facilitator versus a sage-on-the-stage. They talked about how teachers control the white board and surface gives students access. I wonder what would happen if surface was given to a teacher who does not want to give up that control. It seems to be a very compelling piece of equipment with its large area and short height it is geared toward standing children not standing adults and would force teacher to sit down beside students, something many teachers view as giving up power.
I wonder if the Surface would suffer the same fate most teaching technology has faced: being relegated to a separate lab room due to it's expense and the energy it creates in students. Obviously the cost of production would have to drop for the Surface to become a typical part of a classroom.
I would love to see this done for a full year with a classroom giving a teacher long enough to develop actual lessons.
Thanks for the comment MKibrick. Very insighful.
Personally, I think it will be very complimentary to the other instruction. Teachers will still have white board time and group studies. For the time allocated to group studies, Microsoft Surface can greatly enhance that activity.
During group activities at their existing tables, work areas, the same situation exists. The work tables in the classroooms are kid-sized and the teater must sit or stand over the group lesson. With Microsoft Surface, the teacher won't have to change the style to adapt.
A school in Wales just launched with Microsoft Surface, so we should learn a lot from that experience.
Eric
I work for RM and lead the our team who designed and developed Finguistics with the Microsoft Technology Centre in the UK, and I was at the shooting of the video of Surface in a school done by Microsoft UK Education and the Education Product Group. I also demoed Surface to pupils, teachers and educationalists over 3 days at the BETT Education Exhibition in January. The overriding feedback I have had about Surface from all the teachers I have talked to is that it will be great for collaborative learning which is something they find difficult to facilitate at the moment but is key in teaching these days. Surface certainly seems to excite them.
As far as its fate in school as a technology it certainly will be interesting; in my opinion getting a decent set of educational software on the devices will be key. A comparison is already being drawn to the interactive whiteboard, which a number of years ago was pretty expensive and people views were that it would only ever exist in the IT room. Now, in the UK over 2/3 of the 600,000 classrooms have an interactive whiteboard. I see Surface as a complimentary technology that supports group learning rather than directive teaching.
RM is currently working with 4 schools as early adopters of Surface in the UK and looking to get devices with support; as part of this we are looking to use some of our educationalists to help see how Surface can fit into Education and change teaching and learning.
Interesting times ahead.
Are there any schools here in the US that have the Microsoft Surface? I amI applying for a grant right now to get one for my school district and would like to gather more data.
We recommend you keep an eye on this site from January 2011
sites.google.com/.../dieloesungen
We would like you hear your suggestions/comments
Check this out, it might be interesting for you:
sites.google.com/.../asenbrucke