Do you know that e-learning websites are examples of web 2.0 usage? I didn't make the connection and only realised it when i googled 'e-learning' and saw the sentence "One of the strongest, but least hyped, uses of web 2.0 technologies over the past couple of years has been e-learning". (http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/e-learning_20_all_you_need_to_know.php)
Anyways, I had decided to look up more about the Microsoft Surface and how it can be used in a future digital classroom (provided the price drops because, really, it's too expensive to be practical!). Performing a search on YouTube led me to these videos-- Microsoft Surface is already tested out in a classroom setting!
I can see how exciting this must be for children. If I were them, I would be eager to 'play' with the new piece of equipment! Children learn concepts faster simply because it is more interactive and hands-on. For example, in mathematics, they can physically touch objects, group objects to learn simple division. This of course happens in a small group (since limited number of people can crowd around the table) which further aids their learning since the teacher is better able to give each child the attention and individual coaching necessary. Overall, this beats the old traditional way of teaching primary school math (at least in Singapore) where children sit at their seats and are only able to learn via visuals and abstract concepts.
If there is any truth to the popular saying that we learn better when we do things, then I can say that the Microsoft Surface is an exciting invention that can facilitate learning for children, making it fun and thus garnering their interests in learning new things. However, there are several drawbacks in implementing this exciting equipment in schools: 1) Cost According to Wikipedia, a commercially sold unit is available at a whooping price of $12,500. (O.O) Though Microsoft claims to be looking towards reducing the price by 2010, I find it somewhat hard to believe that the lowered price would be very much lower than the current one. So, I don't see this being used in a classroom setting in Singapore any time in the near future
2) Target group From reading up, it seems like using the MS Surface for educational purposes is (at least right now) only using at a primary school level. While this works because primary school classes tend to be relatively small in size, it is difficult to see it being used at higher levels of education. Of course, this is with the idea that there's only one unit per class. It can probably work if there were more, but the cost.... =/
Ah well, I think the main problem is the cost. If it can be greated reduced to a normal laptop price, then maybe it is possible for MS Surface to take over computers and stuffy worksheets in classrooms. Nevertheless, this invention has got me quite eager to see how the digital classroom would turn out in future given the time and more such inventions springing up. =]
Com 125, Class A =]