- A high resolution, WXGA projector
- A 3D, motion sensing camera
- A high-performance computer
- Onboard speakers for high quality audio
Why should educators consider interactive activity spaces?
Educators are always looking for new, engaging learning opportunities for their students. Interactive activity spaces are an ideal choice for these educators, for several reasons. Some of them include:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1597869309618{margin-bottom: 15px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}"]Multisensory learning
There is plenty of research to show that people learn better when multiple senses are engaged during the lesson. This is true of children of all ages, and interactive activity spaces require students to use visuals, sounds and movements to produce a desired result. This will facilitate more effective learning than what is possible with lecture alone.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1597869318156{margin-bottom: 15px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}"]Engages the modern student
By the time many students start school, they are already familiar with technology. For these students, learning through technology is a natural experience, and that leads to better engagement. Engaged students learn more and are more likely to retain a love of learning as they move through school, so it’s a valuable thing to encourage in children.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1597869325511{margin-bottom: 15px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}"]Easy lesson building and system operation
Interactive activity spaces come with software that is built for ease of use. Further, all of the system’s components are compatible out of the box, so the technology is also reliable. Most people will be able to fully operate it after a single training session.
Lesson building is even easier, as teachers decide what lesson format they wish to use, and then plug in the relevant material. You can have a lesson ready to go in just minutes.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1597869334017{margin-bottom: 15px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}"]Adds physical activity to the mix
Physical activity is essential for healthy development in children, but according to studies published in multiple health journals, they are not getting enough. One 2019 study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, determined that 78 percent of boys and 85 percent of girls in the study group were not getting at least one hour of physical activity a day.
Interactive activity spaces ensure students get their needed exercise in, and they have fun doing it.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1597869363491{padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}"]Provides new activity options
Many schools are integrating interactive activity spaces into their physical education programs because they offer an array of games and routines that students respond to positively. These include competitive and cooperative team games.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602533620372{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}"]What interactive activity spaces are available?
The Lü Interactive Playground and ActiveFloor are popular options for educators, as they are built for K-12 environments. Here is a closer look at both options:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1600292432108{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}"]ActiveFloor
The ActiveFloor comes with a ceiling-mounted projector, a motion-detecting camera, a computer, and a durable vinyl floor for displaying projected images. This educational technology is available in four models, including the ONE, the PRO 2, the PRO+ and the MAX. The ONE is ideal for daycares and nurseries, as it comes with a smaller floor that is easier for younger children to navigate. The PRO 2 and PRO+ come with a larger floor that works better with older students. The only difference between the two is that the PRO+ projects a wider image, so its functionality is preserved, even in rooms with lower ceilings. The MAX produces the same image size as the PRO 2 and PRO+, but at a higher intensity, so it is the ideal choice in bright rooms where the lights cannot be dimmed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602533642090{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}"]Lü Interactive
The Lü Interactive is available in three models, the Uno, the Duo and the Mobile. The Uno comes with a single interactive display, while the Duo comes with two, which is perfect for competitive play or for engaging an entire gymnasium full of students. The Mobile is designed for easy storage, setup, and transport, so it can be taken from room to room or packed away when not in use. All three models also come with specialized lighting that responds to student activity. This helps make the experience more immersive. Like the ActiveFloor, the Lü Interactive Playground comes with a variety of learning-focused applications. Newton, for example, requires students to solve math equations by throwing balls at the correct answer. Puzz requires students to solve puzzles by rotating pieces and placing them properly, again using balls as a means of interaction. There are also applications purely designed for physical fitness. Dojo, for instance, cycles through a “deck” of cards that each have a different exercise on them. Children must perform the exercise as long as the card is on screen. Then there’s Danza, which invites students to dance along to an on-screen guide, which makes for a perfect warmup.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Interactive activity spaces are an emerging option for educators that want more effective, engaging learning and more convenient lesson building options. Your AV integrator can help determine which system is the right choice for your students, and ensure it is installed and configured properly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill, Director of Business Development for Education, is an audio visual integration representative for Data Projections with 10 plus years of experience selling to the K12 market in all areas of Texas. She strives to seek the best audio visual solutions for the education market and enjoys supporting school districts and other organizations within the vertical. She has participated in many of the area technology shows and events as well as TCEA and the Texas K12 CTO Council.