I can do an application for the Library Search Engine.
I can create the design and visual & textual description of its basic functions. If you are OK with this idea, I will post the drafts of each slide here, and we'll discuss/edit them.
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Application prototype
I can do an application for the Library Search Engine.
I can create the design and visual & textual description of its basic functions. If you are OK with this idea, I will post the drafts of each slide here, and we'll discuss/edit them.
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Early thoughts about our final presentation
Good job in todays mid-crit group!
If our goal is to create a new "dream library" with a futuristic touch an idea of our presentation is:
To start by making a animation where the film explains what we aim to do and try to explain a typical situation. For example: a group of kids who stand and talk when suddenly a new guy enters who convinces the group of going to the library (which doesn't happen in any school today). There they are met by lots of other children in an awesome location and setting, they then gets welcomed and shown around by our siri-librarian who will maximize their fun. It is pretty easy to create and will appear really advanced, it's posible to do on "www.goanimate.com", and i've used tools like this before so it will be no problems. When that is done, I think we should describe what we have created (maybe if we film a couple of kids when they have fun in a room we've designed for the day). After that part we have shown what we want and the setting, last part is the tools. To actually design and program finished apps is hard, so i suggest that we decide what kind of techniques we want and try to visualize that in a good maner.
Obviously it's still early to make our final decisions about our presentation now, but it good that we start talking about it, and what we want to do. Finally we need to be able to answer the question we couldn't today What will make the students read?
If our goal is to create a new "dream library" with a futuristic touch an idea of our presentation is:
To start by making a animation where the film explains what we aim to do and try to explain a typical situation. For example: a group of kids who stand and talk when suddenly a new guy enters who convinces the group of going to the library (which doesn't happen in any school today). There they are met by lots of other children in an awesome location and setting, they then gets welcomed and shown around by our siri-librarian who will maximize their fun. It is pretty easy to create and will appear really advanced, it's posible to do on "www.goanimate.com", and i've used tools like this before so it will be no problems. When that is done, I think we should describe what we have created (maybe if we film a couple of kids when they have fun in a room we've designed for the day). After that part we have shown what we want and the setting, last part is the tools. To actually design and program finished apps is hard, so i suggest that we decide what kind of techniques we want and try to visualize that in a good maner.
Obviously it's still early to make our final decisions about our presentation now, but it good that we start talking about it, and what we want to do. Finally we need to be able to answer the question we couldn't today What will make the students read?
Monday 18 February 2013
Library environment: A digital reading garden for children
A reading garden can be a really great place for pupils to escape the classroom and refresh, which might make pupils feel more like enjoy the time in the library and reading. As for our target school, the space and resources is limited to build a real garden, but for a mediated library, using digital screens to display and simulate any kinds of environment they want as an alternative might be a much better solution.
An interactive wall&floor to simulate different natural scenery that might improve the reading experience.
The interactive displays that are for children to explore and investigate. They are supposed to be child-height. Except displaying natural sceneries, the interactive wall&floor could also allow children to draw their own story and tell it to their practitioners or their friends. The library could also provide children with symbols or pictures to stick on to the board to help them to create a story.
Library environment: reading spaces for children
Ideally, a library for pupil should be centrally located and a designated (single-use) space. This is not possible for our target school, but it can be created through the imaginative use of the singel room. The library of Vinstaskolan school has a limitation of space, thus a little bit of creativity and vision can go a very long way.
Above all, the library should be exciting and feel different from the classroom.
Informal and comfortable reading spaces
Pupil involvement can be achieve by creating an informal reading space which is differ from study space with normal desks and chairs. An informal reading space is supposed to have comfortable furniture in reading area, such as tiny sofa, cushions, beanbag seats, colourful mats or comfy chairs ans so on. Different lighting such as lava lamps or fairy lights can also be use to create an exciting atmosphere in corners or little nooks for children.
We propose that both open and relatively small separate space are needed for the library. Pupils can choose their own preference space when reading.
Reference:
National Literacy Trust “Reading Environment”
Sunday 17 February 2013
The most valuable thing in the library; the librarian
I've listen to David Lankes, who discusses technology in the library and the role as a librarian. I agree with Lankes about the importance of a good librarian and see cool visions in my head where every costumer will get the full librarian experience. If Iphones today have a working siri, our futuristic vision can have lots of librarians in a more advances siri-function-way.
The best thing in my opinion is to use all of our ideas posted on this blog, combine them and start build our future-dream-library.
The best thing in my opinion is to use all of our ideas posted on this blog, combine them and start build our future-dream-library.
Monday 11 February 2013
Intelligent Furniture
One of the design principles that could be applicable in the libraries of the future could be associated with the implementation of “intelligent furniture”.
In practice, this means that ordinary elements of the rooms, such as the walls or tables, could become the interactive surfaces similar to contemporary tablets, but with a significantly bigger screens, tailored to be accessed by multiple users at the same time.
Such solutions are, in fact, available even today. To provide the examples:
1) Samsung SU40 with Microsoft PixelSense (previously known as the Microsoft Surface)
More info: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/pixelsense/whatissurface.aspx
2) Mozayo Multi-Touch Table(s)
More info: http://www.mozayo.com
3) MyMULTITOUCH Walls and Tables
More info: http://www.multi-touch-screen.co
I strongly believe that such devices could be successfully used in the libraries of the future, as they promote collaboration and could make the learning process more fun. What is more, as the future libraries from numerous perspectives could be regarded rather as the places for the proper team work, instead of the mere repositories of the books, I strongly believe that one could find some interesting applications for those devices. Personally, I think it would be pretty cool to have the regular tables, which at any point can be turned into proper multi-touch tablets.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure children would love them too!
In practice, this means that ordinary elements of the rooms, such as the walls or tables, could become the interactive surfaces similar to contemporary tablets, but with a significantly bigger screens, tailored to be accessed by multiple users at the same time.
Such solutions are, in fact, available even today. To provide the examples:
1) Samsung SU40 with Microsoft PixelSense (previously known as the Microsoft Surface)
 |
| Samsung SU40. Source: http://www.mymultitouch.de |
More info: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/pixelsense/whatissurface.aspx
2) Mozayo Multi-Touch Table(s)
More info: http://www.mozayo.com
3) MyMULTITOUCH Walls and Tables
 |
| MyMULTITOUCH Interactive Wall. Source: http://www.multi-touch-screen.co/multiuser-multitouch-video-wall |
 |
| MyMULTITOUCH Interactive Wall. Source: http://www.multi-touch-screen.co/multiuser-multitouch-video-wall |
 |
| MyMULTITOUCH Interactive Table. Source: http://www.multi-touch-screen.co/multitouch-table/ideum-mt55-multitouch-table/ |
More info: http://www.multi-touch-screen.co
I strongly believe that such devices could be successfully used in the libraries of the future, as they promote collaboration and could make the learning process more fun. What is more, as the future libraries from numerous perspectives could be regarded rather as the places for the proper team work, instead of the mere repositories of the books, I strongly believe that one could find some interesting applications for those devices. Personally, I think it would be pretty cool to have the regular tables, which at any point can be turned into proper multi-touch tablets.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure children would love them too!
 |
| Interactive tablet at Early Years Nursery School. Source:http://www.earlyyearsnurseryschool.com/2011/08/children-get-interactive-with-our-new-touch-screen-tablet/ |
Wednesday 6 February 2013
P.S. On the cool NAME for us...
( As I won't have any more ideas, no more posts from me, I promise :) ),
I think it's VERY important to remember that we work with children, kinda creating their own place. It's not a grown-up, KTH-style thing. It's children, imagination, rules, the process of establishing etc.
That's why I almost insist on calling us the Veldt. It means 'grass savannah in South Africa', and also the most globally well-known Ray Bradbury's story, symbol of the digital world kept in children hands.
Waiting for the Bart's part of description of the Amazing Digital Surface, I'd like to remind you the story. Maybe we can use bits of these graphics in our presentation! :)
I think it's VERY important to remember that we work with children, kinda creating their own place. It's not a grown-up, KTH-style thing. It's children, imagination, rules, the process of establishing etc.
That's why I almost insist on calling us the Veldt. It means 'grass savannah in South Africa', and also the most globally well-known Ray Bradbury's story, symbol of the digital world kept in children hands.
Waiting for the Bart's part of description of the Amazing Digital Surface, I'd like to remind you the story. Maybe we can use bits of these graphics in our presentation! :)
My bit. Some sort of introduction..
I have some thoughts that could be useful (oh, I hope!) for the introduction and overall idea of how the library of the future should look like.
1) 3 Rules of any Media:
Persuade - real books are important as a part of culture. Real books must stay.
Inform - teachers must tell kids which books are good for them, that reading is a good thing. PR books!
Entertain - create connection with things that kids like. Cartoons, gadgets, Mcdonalds, why not.
2) The environment must be comfortable:
- Separated cosy armchairs which one can move closer to each other or move aside to the corner;
- No tables;
- Various big cache-pots with plants (kids can sort of hide behind);
- Replace the office lighting with home-like lamps;
- Cover the floor with the carpet (more safe, cosy, quiet).
3) Real books have its value. There must be some actual books in the library, about 100 items of a perfect quality, with pictures, pleasant to take in hands, important for the culture. The teacher should increase the interest to these books as a treasure because of its print, picture, content quality and importance.
4) Gadgets are cool. Kids can use tablets that are fixed on the cables in the arms of the armchairs. There should be a special program developed specially for the kids library, with an easy access and navigation.
5) Navigation Program: What do you like? We have a clue!
Search system using:
- Name, Title, Genre, "Similar to", key words, "MustRead at the age of 6, 7, 8, 9 etc";
- Funny pictures, nice calligraphy (hello mr. Jobs)
Key words can appear as "tips", or can be entered manually. When one downloads the book, the commentary appears: "This book is like another cool one, "***", and we have it!"
6) Connection with media events: Put a poster on the library window, announcing: "New Twilight movie is out - we have more vampire books!" Some popular cartoons are on TV, that means there must be some comics, colouring books, books of this story type, etc. Put a poster on the window, announcing "The theme of the month!" (Happy Meal's analogue)
1) 3 Rules of any Media:
Persuade - real books are important as a part of culture. Real books must stay.
Inform - teachers must tell kids which books are good for them, that reading is a good thing. PR books!
Entertain - create connection with things that kids like. Cartoons, gadgets, Mcdonalds, why not.
2) The environment must be comfortable:
- Separated cosy armchairs which one can move closer to each other or move aside to the corner;
- No tables;
- Various big cache-pots with plants (kids can sort of hide behind);
- Replace the office lighting with home-like lamps;
- Cover the floor with the carpet (more safe, cosy, quiet).
3) Real books have its value. There must be some actual books in the library, about 100 items of a perfect quality, with pictures, pleasant to take in hands, important for the culture. The teacher should increase the interest to these books as a treasure because of its print, picture, content quality and importance.
4) Gadgets are cool. Kids can use tablets that are fixed on the cables in the arms of the armchairs. There should be a special program developed specially for the kids library, with an easy access and navigation.
5) Navigation Program: What do you like? We have a clue!
Search system using:
- Name, Title, Genre, "Similar to", key words, "MustRead at the age of 6, 7, 8, 9 etc";
- Funny pictures, nice calligraphy (hello mr. Jobs)
Key words can appear as "tips", or can be entered manually. When one downloads the book, the commentary appears: "This book is like another cool one, "***", and we have it!"
6) Connection with media events: Put a poster on the library window, announcing: "New Twilight movie is out - we have more vampire books!" Some popular cartoons are on TV, that means there must be some comics, colouring books, books of this story type, etc. Put a poster on the window, announcing "The theme of the month!" (Happy Meal's analogue)
The task
Just to remind us the idea:
The project task is to design a presence, or presence related, situation with relevance for a mediated library. It may combine spacial, technical and conceptual design. It can be a large concept or a detail.
Written report
The written report shall contain a description of your process and lessons learned. Typically 5-10 pages.
This is our group diary/log book.
This is our school:
Vinstaskolan (Groups 3-4) Headmaster Ann-Kristin Eklöf ann-kristin.eklof@stockholm.se
This is our target audience:
The project task is to design a presence, or presence related, situation with relevance for a mediated library. It may combine spacial, technical and conceptual design. It can be a large concept or a detail.
Written report
The written report shall contain a description of your process and lessons learned. Typically 5-10 pages.
This is our group diary/log book.
This is our school:
Vinstaskolan (Groups 3-4) Headmaster Ann-Kristin Eklöf ann-kristin.eklof@stockholm.se
This is our target audience:
Libraries in pictures.
Libraries.
Libraries of the past:
Libraries of our times:
Libraries of the future?
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