The Scheduler or Messager (not a word I know) is an ongoing piece of work that allows teachers or admins to schedule up a days worth of content onto any number of screens throughout the school (or the World!) and hit send. There are two parts; The Receiver which is all that is needed to run a screen and The Sender which is run by a teacher or admin.
For example, Suzie may decide to have a screen that said 'Welcome to K-tech' from 9am-11am; some photos of cute animals from 11am to 12.30 and then a K-tech logo playing a lunch time bell it's quick and easy to do.
At the moment the interface is easy to use but ugly, as it was just made for Suzie and I but I am updating it in style and in the back end to the new Unity language C#.
Each 'Module' is an app in itself and can read information from a server, take its instructions for the day and alter what's shown. It also checks the server every minute in case of changes.
The controller can choose to send information to one or any number of linked screens. All that is needed is a low spec machine and an internet connection. Once the machine receives its instructions, and if there are no changes, even the internet connection is not necessary. This is handy if you want to display content at a kiosk or somewhere that there isn't a reliable connection. Just launch the app once, let it load the days work and it will retain this info until it goes back online.
The structure of the app is such that new modules are being added all the time and it can theoretically control any amount of screens.
We had intended to get a few mini-pcs up and running with this software for use throughout the other KA schools but even though we specced and got the go ahead on these we were unable to proceed passed a point. (Raise with Charlie!). A pity because all the schools could have been kitted out months ago and the feedback would have driven any necessary changes to the app.
That said, here is a list of the modules that exist and later some of the incoming modules that will appear soon.
I also have to add that once this app it robust enough, it is SELLABLE. Hotels, Cinemas, museums and other companies use display software that is nowhere near as advanced.
In the past I have sold similar projects to O2, Ireland's premiere phone provider, for their flagship offices and the O2 Arena, and Jamesons Whiskey who still use it to this day in their museum in Dublin. Those two versions are not even close to the power of the newer one however.
THE APP:
The user can schedule any five minute slot from 8am to Midnight. That's up to 192 modules scheduled in a day which would be madness. There are about 15 modules at the moment, some are seasonal (Christmas, Halloween etc) so disappear when not needed. As I said, each one is an app in itself and has a menu of options for each slot such as changing content, text, speed of play, sound level etc. :
THE MODULES:
LOGO MODULE:
This module simply displays the class logo when launched with a message below. OR if the machine has a camera attached it will display moving colour blocks UNTIL it sees a human face. Once this happens all the unnecessary blocks peel back and the class logo is revealed. Nice for grabbing attention.
THE CLOCK:
The clock module will check the time of day, the position (in the World) of the screen and if available the local weather. It will then display a clock in an environment that matches this information.
There is a K-tech side and a KA side to the clock and in the options the use can choose one or the other, or both to be shown.
BIG MESSAGE MODULE:
This module takes the bottom text and presents it large on screen with an animated backdrop. Sound is optional. It is one of the more simple modules. Variations on this include the Spooky (Halloween) version and the Christmas version.
The Christmas version of the module include a Santa voice that will read the time and date and say how many days are left before Christmas. If any of the kids hit a button while Santa is talking he will get interrupted and annoyed. He will continue to get more annoyed and say funny things the more he's interrupted.
THE FACTS MODULE:
Here strange and wonderful facts are displayed. The user can choose the age group or content. I think there is even an Alpaca facts option!
THE DANCE MODULES:
Just for fun Suzie pulls these up at random times. The dance module feature Bolt, a zombie salary man, Santa and an Alien bopping in their own style to music. Feedback is good on this one. The kids look forward to and expect new variations.
BUBBLES MODULE:
Strictly for computers with a camera this module allows the kids to press a button and capture their face in a floating bubble. These photo bubbles continue to float ad infinitum until another module is called.
PREVIEW MODULE:
This module displays any number of photos on cubes. Usually the photos are of up and coming projects and games or just hints to fun to come.
THE ALARM MODULE:
The alarm module is similar to the logo module except the user can choose to display a message and choose a suitable sound. Sounds include the Japanese standard school, Big Ben and Slades announcement IT'S CHRIIIIIISTMAAAAAS! among others.
THE SPOOKY CAM MODULE:
This one puts the camera feed on screen with suitably spooky filters. Whenever it detects movement, like a hand wave, it will make cartoon ghosts, bats etc fly from the moving hand.
THE SLIDESHOW MODULE:
This module looks into an attached folder housed on the local screen. It will display any photos or png files found inside in the chosen manner. The user can change the speed of change, the order and more. It can also deal with semi transparent images so that images such as logos can be displayed.
Up and coming modules:
THE UNGOOGLABLE QUESTION module.
This module displays a brain teaser that while on screen will cause some debate, some research and lateral thinkings.
Here are a couple of examples for you to ponder:
Who was the loneliest human? That is, the single human that was furthest away from any one else in history. It's harder than you think!
Bill and Bob are identical. They were born on the same day in the same hospital. They have the same mother and the same father.
BUT THEY ARE NOT TWINS! How can this be?
THE VIDEO module.
Similar to the slideshow module this one will look at a list of links, either local, online or YouTube. It will then display the chosen videos one after another. As we can choose to educate, entertain or cue up the kids' own videos, this one is quite powerful.
The Randomiser:
An idea from Suzanne. Basically this one will have a number of items (perhaps just numbers) displayed in a fancy way. The admin sets the number of items. When launched it will eventually pull a random number out of the stack. One option is to stop here (like a lucky draw) and another would keep removing numbers or items until only one remains.
This would allow the teacher to fairly choose volunteers or hand out prizes (?) or choose the days activities based on a random selection.
Lots more in the pipeline!!
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