Kids-on with the SMART Table

We got to play around with a SMART Table in a classroom full of lucky kids at Haines Elementary School in Chicago this morning, and we came away impressed with how much they loved it. The multitouch table is built on the same basic idea and hardware as Microsoft Surface -- Vista PC, XGA projector, infrared camera -- but it's a custom patented SMART design, not Surface lite or anything like that. That said, the multitouch system isn't quite as responsive as Surface, and the kid-proof plastic screen felt a little weird, but it certainly works well enough -- the Table recognizes up to 40 touches (enough for six kids to play comfortably, we were told) and we saw some interesting demos, ranging from the standard rotate / zoom photo app to painting and puzzle games. Teachers get admin access with a special USB key that enables them to manage apps, and there's an SDK in the works, so hopefully there'll be quite a few to manage. SMART says the Table should start shipping next spring for somewhere between $7,000 to $8,000 each -- obviously the company will be targeting school systems with its extensive SMART Board sales network, but well-off parents will be able to score one for their hopelessly spoiled darling children as well. Check a few vids of the table in action after the break.

Gallery: Smart Table hands-on

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[huh @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:33PM]

Do note there are several open source surface type projects. The basic concept requires not much more than a projector and camera. http://nortd.com/cubit/ is one.

[Ed T @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:42PM]

Yes, this is true education. Just look what all those PC labs in schools have done for test scores. This should lock Amerika's kids solidly in the bottom quartile worldwide.

Thank's Microsoft.

[Parental Unit (M) @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:53PM]

And it's Microsoft's fault that teachers don't know how to properly utilize the equipment they are given how? In my kid's class (Kindergarten) the teacher had to ask the students to pull up the material because she didn't know how. I witnessed it at an open house event. I use a computer to teach my kid all the time. He has a Fourth Grade reading level, Third Grade math skills, and the school doesn't have a test for his science skills. Yes, I use a PC and Microsoft products. It is not that my kid is smarter than your kid, it is how well you engage the child. Use what they are interested in to teach them. Most of these teachers don't have any clue what to do with a computer, that is not to say they are bad people, just that they need more training to familiarize them with the use of a computer (outside of checking email and double-clicking.)

[Saad Rabia @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:21PM]

I'm sick of the people blaming technology for anything bad the goes on in their lives! Technology is a freaking tool and you must you use it the right way. Blaming PS3 or Xbox 360 for your stupid spoiled sister or unbelievably lame and lonely brother is just another mistake by the parents for not getting updated to this stuff!

Whenever I hear these things I just picture FOX news and its stupid mythology on raising the next generation. Technology is going to advance wither we all like it or not, bad or good is up to your to control. My grandma thinks until this moment that mobile phones are all what is bad happening in the world!

Please people, learning never ends, it just never ends. If you decide one day that some technology sucks because you aren't a master in it or can't get a hold of it, then you have fallen into a deep hole of stupidity.

Grow up, except it and teach your kids how to use it the right way, instead of just watching them download porn in it, and then blame the media and such while you color macaroni pictures.

[Natuj @ Oct 23rd 2008 10:24PM]

Reply: Saad Rabia

Too bad you don't know the difference between "accept" and "except." Maybe you should go back to school. Also, go and read up on design books such as Tom Peters' "The Essentials of Design" or Don Norman's "The Design of Everyday Things." This way you will realize a lot of our technology products are just not designed well for human interaction.

[StalematE @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:43PM]

cool, but it looks like it needs a little work.

[holycow @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:45PM]

SMART Board was introduced on Mythbusters yesterday...

[merrihaven @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:51PM]

Why is the engadget feed being spammed to every microblog via TechGlance?

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:05PM]

Because you're here. Nice post history.

[barnesjon @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:47PM]

Obviously you support techglance or it would be spamming for some one else. I think this is the worst marketing decision engadget has ever made. I greatly protest spam of any kind. I shall boycott engadget until this issue is resolved. If you don't know the problem, got to army.twit.tv/ and read a post by techglance. techglance is a spam bot that is out of control and driving our community crazy. It seems to spew out engadget links constantly. please fix this.

[spamh8 @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:06PM]

PLease do something about the constant stream of spam being sent through Twitter, Identi.ca and Twit Army via "TechGlands". It's unbecoming to say the least.

[iKurt @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:14PM]

Apple innovation strikes again

[Kamokazi @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:37PM]

So Apple owns Bell Labs and the University of Toronto who started work on multi-touch PC tables in 1982? Or maybe it was an Apple employee who infiltrated Microsoft and got them to begin work on it in 2001?

I don't have a problem with Apple users, I have a problem with stupid and ignorant people, and unfortunately that means a lot of Apple users.

[Erik @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:40PM]

@Kamokazi:

Thank you. I was just about to tell him the same thing.

[Jason @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:19PM]

I'm a fairly new (2 years) teacher and a long time gadget lover. I used to be a programmer/IT and engineer before this, and I have a SMART board in my classroom. In response to parentalunit I would say the average teacher has the basic skills of a regular user. How to surf the web, how to type a document, how to check email. They wouldn't know shortcuts or how to troubleshoot serious problems or know certain nuances of the os as younger kids know now a days. Parents expect us (teachers) to know everything. Do you know how to open a new tab in FF or Chrome? Do you know the shortcut key to close a window in both mac and windows? I mean, those are pretty easy to us techies, but to somebody else, it's a different language. Also technology isn't an end all be all help in the classroom as ED t said as well. It's basically more of a distraction that a help sometimes.

All I'm saying is 2000 dollars for a smart board and 7000 for a smart table
OR
75 dollars for a wii mote smart board and 700 dollars for a DIY multitouch chalkboard/table computer and projector
Heres the kicker, schools can't even afford paper sometimes for copies

[Parental Unit (M) @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:54PM]

Jason,
I would have to disagree with you on the point of the average teacher's computer skills. Maybe I think that they should be held to a slightly higher standard, I don't know. But I do know that when I was working HelpDesk at a local community college 95% of the problems we were called for was from the instructors. They couldn't do basic tasks like turn the monitor on, raise an automatic (button on the wall) screen, eject a CD, switch a VCR on via touchscreen input, etc. When an instructor has to ask help from her kindergarten class on how to play a video on the computer, that indicates to me that no one showed her how to use the equipment she was provided with. As a teacher, it is not enough to be an expert at the field you are teaching in. You have to be able to adapt to new ideas and new ways of engaging your students. Otherwise, none of your students will see you as relevant to what you are trying to teach them. I am not expecting all teachers to be computer experts. I am epecting teachers to be able to make good use of the tools at their disposal to help the students learn.

[Derbeste @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:18PM]

If the average teacher has enough knowledge to surf the Internet but NOT enough knowledge to type "Fire Fox shortcut key" into google, then there is still a problem with the amount of effort the teacher feels satisfactory.

[CDN Crockett @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:20PM]

I used to work for SMART Tech and yes they invented touch technology! Worst company to work for!!!!!!!

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:32PM]

Microsoft, what happened to thou Surface....??!!?

[VeganFreak @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:36PM]

the second video made me remember my childhood for some reason. So much less to care about back then...

[Alexandre Emond @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:51PM]

Could someone explain to me what are the education usage of the computers for high school the goes beyond note taking, netsearch and document production?

[Jack H @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:24PM]

im not even in upper school and it is used extensively in my school for video, presentations, lectures, and interactive programs

[Metkis @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:16PM]

So, did Engadget take school children's clothes off for this too?


(I hope at least one person gets this.)

[Jason @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:30PM]

Parental Unit (M)
And what is the average age of a college instructor vs the average age of a public school teacher? Theres quite an age difference. I'm not saying that there aren't some teachers out there who can't even turn on a monitor, but overall theres a trend. Also having a basic training with your equipment is pretty much standard in schools, its either the schools fault for teaching improperly or the teachers fault for not listening. It is true that teachers do have to adapt and engage the students, but for the fact that a tried and true procedure done in the top schools in nyc (stuy, bronx sci, brooklyn tech) is pretty much done on a good ole fashion blackboard/whiteboard, not on a smartboard. Even at the most expensive highschools in america (some of which are located in the bronx) don't even use smartboards that much, or even at all. So yes the teacher might not know how to play a video, but can you tell me the difference between HD and regular def? By your logic, I should know that stuff (even though I do) because we play movies in our school. I should know how to hook up and work an HD tv to a high def player using coax cables because one day I might have a problem and should adapt? It's and extreme case, but should I get training in? Should I be able to navigate an know every single menu button on the controller and be able to put on dual audio on an Blu-ray disc for my bilingual students? Or I should become pretty well versed in other subjects because each students is unique and thus have different strengths and weakness based on subject and I should relate to them through a subject that they are good at? What your saying is totally valid, don't get me wrong, but to be realistic on a mute point, some teachers a) don't have the time, b) actually can't learn things because of a mental block and or stigma or c) choose not to. Most teachers have/do all three. I don't blame the teacher becuase I can tell you this for a fact, this is one of the most time consuming and toughest jobs I have EVER had. There's a reason why theres a 42%+ drop out rate for teachers. But don't blame the teacher. If shes old, shes a techno-immigrant. Most kids now are techo-natives. It would be like trying to explain and teacher to operate an 8-track, vinyl, or what beta max is to an 8 year old. It just takes time

[MrNuclear @ Oct 23rd 2008 7:40PM]

I hope you're not an English teacher, Jason.

[cory @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:42PM]

"the Table recognizes up to 40 touches (enough for six kids to play comfortably, we were told)"

or allows up to six kids to fight over the same virtual triangles as shown in the video...

All you need is $8,000 and your kids can too play in the dark with a shape game you could otherwise buy for $10 at your local toy store!

[Parental Unit (M) @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:39PM]

Jason,
First, I don't buy the "to old to learn computers" argument. It basicaly boils down to the willingnes to learn. That argument says that "no, I'm not smarter than a third grader." There is no reason that someone who can read and comprehend step-by-step instructions can not learn how to use a computer faster than a five or six year old that randomly pushes buttons to see what they do. I believe that it is just a form of obstinate technophobia. Second, not including technology in the classroom does a disservice to the students by leaving them ill-prepared for the real world. Computers are becoming, and will become, more pervasive throughout our society. Even McDonalds has computers for the cash registers, albeit with a ridiculously simplified keyboard. No, you do not have to know the intricate inner workings of a machine in order to use it effectively. You probably could not manufacture a triple A battery, but I'm sure you can change one out properly. Third, a tool is only useful when in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. If you give a hammer to a monkey (I am not calling the computer illiterate monkeys,) a lot of stuff will get banged up, but nothing gets built. Put that same hammer in a carpenter's hands though, and something amazing happens. I would not be working in IT today if my school did not have computers in them (my school couldn't afford them just like my son's can't, they were donated by local businesses that were upgrading.) The school was my first access to a computer, so to relegate them to distraction status is not quite fair. I also am not trying to portray the situation as all the teacher's fault. What is being taught in school has to be re-enforced at home, otherwise it becomes pointless in the eyes of the student. For a lot of children, school is still the only access the have to a computer, making it doubly important for teachers to be able to familiarize them with it.
The line of logic that I was trying to follow is if you are to use a piece of equipment in the instruction of your class, you should know how to use it (not how it works, or what it's specs are, or even who makes it,) and what materials (software, video, etc.) to use on that equipment to get the student engaged and interested in what is going on in their classroom. For example: With a computer that you want to play a video from Discovery Channel on, you know how to ether navigate to the website for an online video, or can use the media player to play a DVD. Or: If you want to use a computer to help your students with reading, you can start up a program such as reader rabbit (or equivelant.) A computer in the classroom could also be used to reinforce other skills at the same time, i.e. while playing reader rabbit a kid is learning to read, type, and spell. During math games the child not only learns the math skills, they also get re-enforcement on their reading and listening skills as well. As far as a SMARTboard goes, I have had experience with those as well. They are nifty gadgets, but lend themselves more to boardroom meetings than a learning environment (at least until they are ubiquitous and cheap enough that every child in the room could have one, then they MAY be useful.) BTW, you might be suprised at how fast an 8 year old picks up on the gist of beta-max and vinyl. I do want to say thank you for being a teacher. I can tell by our discussion that you are passionate about it, and that passion would go a long way with helping your students.

[Jason @ Oct 23rd 2008 9:02PM]

Parental Unit M
Thanks for you well wishes and such, I'll take compliments whenever I can get them! I definitely agree with you on the whole too old to learn, most teachers choose not to learn due to a stigma. But what you describe about being a diservice to our kids is most definitely true. Having a tool is only useful when its held within a master. However, students learn how to use a computer in computer class (now pretty much mandatory in each school). Most young teachers had that class when we were younger, but as you go further up on the age scale. The point I'm just making is that yes, your child's teacher SHOULD know the workings of it. However, I just want you to be aware that most of the time, things get updated without us knowing, administration changes software without telling us, and even as a techno savy person, it's hard to keep up. Our entire school was crippled when they upgrade from MS word xp to MS word 2003/2007 due to the docx and xlsx extension and compatibility issues. It happened to roughly half of the school system when people upgraded.

But yeah, I definitely agree with you about your words of wisdom. Teach your child's teacher about her damn machine.

[Rofltiger @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:30PM]

anybody else get the urge to play some old-school Pacman or Galaga upon seeing this? XD

IMO, that would be a really cool (albeit, less educational) way to use that thing...

[scape @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:42PM]

what's sad is that the basic hardware is sub 2k$...SMART adores overprices goodness! personally I do not trust the company, I have 6 SMART single touch boards my self (+1 shhh) and have to say the most disappointing factor is the company's lack of willingness to back their products. but aside from that, MT is awesome and I'm glad to see their disabled MT touch feature in their software made it to an actual product!
oh yeah, check out nuigroup.com, they've been around since FTIR.

[Jack H @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:18PM]

In response to everyone who is doubting the skills of a teacher with computers, i beg to differ, at least at my school. there is a SMART board in every classroom, as well as a projector. every teacher we have is very knowledgeable about computers, and they have absolutely no trouble bing the board up. of course there are some glitches that happen, but there are IT guys for that. and also- every teacher uses it at least one time per week, and some use it everyday throughout class. i think it is very useful. i cant comment on the usefulness of this product because i am assuming it is aimed more towards lower grades( im in 8th).