Classroom Design is Being Upended

Games are becoming more integrated into education because students are demanding more engaging experiences. That, in turn, is changing the way classrooms are set up.

Instead of an instructor facing rows of desks, thought leaders in the field now envision classrooms equipped with desks on wheels, movable walls, and screens that allow students to work out gaming solutions in groups.

“It’s a huge deal,” Robert Brodnick, founder of the Brodnick Consulting Group Inc., said in an article for eCampus News. “Classrooms have remained unchanged for decades. We’ve learned this all really matters. If you build and create spaces in a more flexible way, you’re not dictating to students how they’re going to have to learn.”

Gamification is just one part of what is happening to classroom space these days, according to Brodnick. The space need to be flexible enough to accommodate multiple learning formats, such as makerspaces that encourages students to invent and learn. There should be room for immersive visual learning and enough space to promote personalized, project-based learning.

“What we’re starting to realize is that learning is happening out of the classroom more and more, as students are increasingly connected to each other and to information through their phones,” he said. “Learning by doing is much more powerful than acquiring content and apply it five years later on the job. As you move around throughout the day, you have learning experiences, and it’s having a significant impact on how campuses are designed. You might not need as many classrooms or as many bookshelves in libraries.”

E Ink, Sony Team on Flexible Reader

It appears reports of the demise of e-ink have been greatly exaggerated.

E Ink Holdings has introduced a new flexible electronic paper display (EPD) technology that will be used by Sony in its new large-format e-reader. The company claims the new display is more durable and can weigh up to 50% less than other display screens.

The new Sony product is a 13.3-in. e-reader designed for students. At just 12.6 oz., the new device is much lighter than a 10.7-in e-reader using an LCD screen. The screen also is flexible, or at least the image provided to TeleRead appears that way.

“Flexible can mean different things to different people,” Giovanni Mancini, director of product marketing at E Ink, told TeleRead. “In our experience in working with E Ink’s direct customers and in talking to end consumers, the feedback we received was that they wanted a product which was lightweight, rugged, and conformable to a not-flat surface.”

Study Puts E-Ink to the Test

One of the selling points of a dedicated electronic reader is the belief that E Ink is better for a reader’s eyes than the LCD screens used in tablet computers. Now, researchers from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, have released a study suggesting it might actually be easier to read on the LCD screen, and that retention of reading material is the same no matter how the reading is done.

A group of 57 Generation-Xers and senior citizens were tested using an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine to measure brain activity while the reading. The tests showed that while Gen-X readers used slightly less energy to read on a tablet than an e-reader or paper book, the senior citizens clearly spent less energy and time reading on the tablet.

Both test groups also showed a slightly higher error rate in answering questions after using either an e-reader or tablet device, although the researchers considered the rate small enough to be insignificant.

“Here we have a study that suggests digital textbooks are not better for students,” wrote Note Hoffelder in his blog post on The Digital Reader. “It’s a pity that this probably won’t slow down the mad dash towards the next hot trend.”

Potential changes to next generation iPads

A recent article from Digitimes reports rumors of Apple’s potential plans to launch second generation iPads in several sizes and possibly with Organic LED displays. These rumors revolve around Apple’s iPad orders with its Taiwan component manufacturers, which seem to indicate the possible use of 5.6, 7, and 9.7 inch OLED iPad panels as soon as 2011.

Organic LED screens generally have a higher contrast, use less power, and have superior color saturation compared to their LED counterparts. However, the OLED screens are much more expensive than the current LCD panels for the iPad. Digitimes Research senior analyst Mingchi Kuo points out that, “the price gap is unlikely to narrow significantly in 2010 or 2011.”

If Apple does choose to implement OLED screens in its next generation iPads, it may win over avid readers in the eBook market. OLED screens are not backlit which would make reading on iPads easier on the eyes and bring it more in line with the E Ink displays of other e-readers.

New screen technology for e-readers

A recent article on BBC’s website discusses an interesting new display technology that is in development by Dutch company, Liquavista. The display uses Electrowetting technology which combines features from both E Ink and LCD screens. The display is similar to E Ink because it can be used in the sunlight without backlighting and is more energy efficient than LCD screens. The display is similar to LCD screens because it is color, fast enough to run video, and can be used in darker environments with backlighting. Liquavista expects the screen technology to be incorporated into e-readers by the middle of next year and eventually it could be used in smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. Liquavista is also working with Plastic Logic, creator of the Que e-reader, to explore other opportunities. The companies hope that within three years time they will be able to produce a flexible color magazine that updates automatically and runs videos.