Hilary Smith 

research

publications

   BBC Augmented Reality project

My research investigates how novel and familiar technologies can be used in teaching and learning contexts to challenge and engage science students.  The e-Science Usability project investigates how these technologies can be used to support teachers to create motivating and engaging science in and beyond the classroom. In building upon the SENSE project, what resources and support do teachers need to scale-up to full classrooms for creating science sessions which incorporate mobile sensing technologies, scientist collaborations and ICT support infrastructures?

SENSE (Learning through e-Science) was an exploratory study investigating the potential for using e-Science and GRID technologies in schools for scientific learning. We worked with a local and remote school to investigate air quality in the surrounding area, whilst looking at potential for use of wireless and mobile devices in data collection, scientific enquiry and intra-school connectivity tasks. The activities website is here.

Recent projects also include the BBC AR project - supporting story reading through augmented reality technology; Homework - linking school and home maths teaching and learning through tablet technology; Equator (Chromarium, Snark and Ambient Wood); and InTouch social networks.  

These projects build on work exploring external representations and interactions in mixed reality environments with colleagues in the Interact and Ideas Labs. Mixed reality environments involve a virtual world and elements of the physical world in a space that can represent both simultaneously.

Other Activities

The HCT group is committed to maintaining a two-way dialogue with local organisations as potential recipients of the group's research findings and contributors to the creation of ideas leading to research project funding. I am the contact for the Education Skills Exchange that facilitates this dialogue with teachers and other education professionals.