Tricky Business

Hooked on toobz, it’s all Will’s fault.

Testing tumblr on iPhone

Touch-screen UI project to be previewed at BETT...

…as described on Merlin John Online:

“Capita trying to take a leaf out of Apple’s book:

SIMS’ ‘concept car’ for the future

It’s a whole new look for SIMS, a bold attempt to tackle the inherent problem of all sophisticated software, which is how to maintain a balance between deep and wide functionality on the one hand and ease of use by busy multi-tasking people on the other. The company has employed an interface designer for the task and the benchmark was ambitious - Apple applications.

Does it succeed? Teachers are the ones to answer that, so take a good searching look at it – think of the things you long to be able to do with your MIS and see if Discover helps you with them.

That’s the new model. The “concept car” is a leap forward, an attempt to explore and show what the MIS of the future might look like. At BETT it will show how touch-screen technology and exciting graphics will be able to present the teacher with a highly accessible and multi-functional “dashboard” for the day’s work. There’ll be student data, with realtime alerts, general announcements, quick links to lesson content – lots of information and support on a screen that’s kept uncluttered and attractive with the aid of an advanced graphical interface manipulated by touch and gesture.

It’s a truly interesting venture. In authentic concept-car style, it’s intended to raise questions rather then provide answers. Any production version (and I know nothing of any dates or firm plans) is going to benefit from feedback, criticism and discussion as well as from continuing technological and educational change.”