Next Generation Interfaces
Becta have just released the latest edition of their report into Emerging technologies for learning.
‘Emerging technologies for learning’ aims to help readers consider how emerging technologies may impact on education in the medium term. The publications are not intended to be a comprehensive review of educational technologies, but offer some highlights across the broad spectrum of developments and trends.
It should open readers up to some of the possibilities that are developing and the potential for technology to transform our ways of working, learning and interacting over the next three to five years.
You can access all the articles here, plus the previous editions.
One article of particular interest to this blog is the chapter entitled: Interactive displays and next generation interfaces by Michael Haller, Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences. This is an interesting look at the history of the Interactive Whiteboard as we know it, and a look at some of the new technologies that may well replace or enhance it in the near future such as Interactive Tables, Interactive Paper and Digital Pens.
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Phun Phun Phun
I’d looked at Phun a while back, but back then I don’t think it was ready to download. Thanks to Thom via Twitter I was reminded to take another look.
If you haven’t seen it before, Phun is a 2d Interactive Physics sandbox. It allows you to draw objects in a world where the rules of gravity really apply (or not). You can draw freehand shapes or stick with squares and circles. You can fix objects in space and hang other objects from them using chains or springs. You can also add planes to have objects bounce and roll down them.
It’s a small download, and even better, it’s Free!
Here is Phun working on a Smartboard Interactive Whiteboard. It was great to be able to just draw shapes with my finger and watch them bounce and move around on the screen. Above I have drawn a square, fixed it in space and attached a ball on a spring. You can pull the ball around and watch it swing around.
This would be great to use in Physics lessons – investigating Forces and gravity, looking at springs and pendulums.
If you are stuck for things to do once you’ve opened Phun, there are lots of ready created scenes up on the Phun Wiki that will start you off. Using scenes that others have created will give you a better idea of what you can do with it.
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About Me
Danny Nicholson : Educator, Science teacher, ICT Consultant, PGCE lecturer, Author and Web2.0 / SMART Masters/ Interactive Whiteboard Trainer. Contact me for any training requests. 
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