DiamondTouch

DiamondTouch is a table-like display screen which uses multi-user touch technology to support small group collaboration. It allows multiple persons interact with the same thing simultaneously, also identifying which person is touching where.[1]

In the following video, three persons are doing group work together; using paper and pen, whiteboard or single screen for working.



However there is described shortly what kinds of problems normally occur in these “traditional” group work situations.

- With single paper: team members are waiting to get their turns and need to cue their ideas.
- With whiteboard: it can be difficult for others to participate when one person is in control. Also person writing on the whiteboard hides information from persons observing.
- With single screen: even if it is quite easy to observe, it is difficult to change the control from one user to another because there is only one mouse.

It is also said that because all group members can’t participate in group work, they get frustrated. In my opinion the good visibility of the screen for all group members is more important than possibility to participate in work exactly same way. I’m not even sure for what kind of group activities the multi-user touch screens could be suitable best. I found also an interesting link http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/top-15-interactive-display-technologies/ of different interactive display technologies, although many of them are not for group work purposes.

References:
[1] http://www.circletwelve.com/