The best method for improving educational standards is to utilize every tool available. Computers and the internet have expanded the way in which information can be delivered to the students of today. Today's technologies provide the practice of the new learning techniques. Educators are discovering that computers are assisting learning. Some new technological devices such as SMARTboard can offer many educational opportunities.
SMARTboard is an interactive whiteboard that is connected to a computer and a projector. When the computer image is projected on the board, the SMARTboard can be used as a computer. By just using your finger you can control the computer.
This device is obviously unnecessary for performing everyday computing tasks like surfing the internet. However this technology would be useful for tasks such as rotating and inspecting objects in three dimensions (such as proteins, chemical structures, etc). Biologists and Organic Chemists could also examine 3-D models of cells and pharmaceutical drugs.
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American Education is in the DumpsterI'm sure people in other industries could also find useful tasks for it.
The main feature that separates this from the traditional ways of human-computer interfaces is that this sort of touch screen allows coordinated contact with both hands, instead of limiting oneself to one hand controlling fine 3-D manipulations. I just don't think having two mice would feel as practical.
However, this high-tech device may also have some problems. One of these problems is that the improved functionality of this over traditional tool is only marginal, considering the cost of touch-screens (and programming). In order to commercialize this technology successfully, they would have to find a really great advertisement (can't think of one that a mouse/keyboard couldn't already handle in some manner).
Another problem may occur when SMARTboard is considered a new "method" of teaching. A "smart" student may record the voice of the teacher.