Interactive Activity Spaces

Interactive activity spaces get students moving and learning

Interactive activity spaces make learning physical, by getting kids to move around and engage with a moving lesson. The technology is effective for students of most ages, but is particularly engaging for younger students, who typically have a lot of energy to expend each day. 

An interactive activity space consists of the following:

• A high-resolution projector, which produces the interactive image
• A 3D camera that can detect motion
• High performance speakers, which may be mounted or packaged with other parts of the system
• A computer to drive the lesson

Together, this technology creates a vivid, interactive image that can be projected on a wall or the floor, along with quality audio that immerses participants. It can be used with most subject material and is delivered in a game-like format, so students are brought into the experience right away. This includes cooperative and competitive play, so it can be designed to fit any group of students. 
 

What interactive activity spaces are popular options? 

Interactive activity spaces are relatively new to the market, but there are already a couple of leading options for educators. Among them are the ActiveFloor and Lü Interactive. Here is a closer look at each:

• ActiveFloor - The ActiveFloor comes in four models, including the ONE, the PRO2, the PRO+ and the MAX. There isn’t much difference between the four models - the PRO2, PRO+ and MAX produce a larger image than the ONE, the PRO+ creates a wider image for lower ceilings and the MAX combines optimal size and image intensity for the best experience. 
  
  The ActiveFloor, like the name suggests, projects an image onto the floor. To ensure compatibility in most rooms, the ActiveFloor comes with a vinyl surface that can frame the projected image perfectly. Flooring composition isn’t a concern with the technology, in short. 
• Lü Interactive - The Lü Interactive works best when it can be projected onto a wall and comes with several activities that work well in a large space like a gymnasium. 
   
  Like the ActiveFloor, the Lü Interactive is available in a few models, including the Uno, the Duo and the Mobile. The Mobile is the smallest option and is designed for easy transport and setup. The Uno and Duo are identical except that the Duo comes with a second interactive projector so two screens can be used at once. 
   
  The Lü Interactive comes with a wealth of activities, some designed for pure physical fitness, while others combine fitness and academics. For instance, Danza requires students to dance with an on-screen guide, Dojo cycles through a deck of exercise cards that students must mirror one after another. Newton combines learning and throwing, as students take turns tossing a ball at the screen and answering math problems. With a Duo, students can also play team-based games that encourage teamwork and rapid decision making. 

What are the benefits of interactive activity spaces in schools? 

Interactive activity spaces deliver lessons in a much different way than students are accustomed to, and this comes with several advantages. Some of them include:
 

1. Better engagement with tech-familiar students - Interactive activity spaces will be immediately familiar to most students, as they utilize the same mobile-style graphics and interactivity that people get from their own devices. It takes almost no time to train students on the technology and immerses them right away, which means students engage quickly and stay engaged as long as the lesson is going. For many educators, student engagement is a frequent issue, but interactive activity spaces can help with that. 
2. Improves physical fitness and coordination - Numerous studies and surveys have reached the same conclusion - that children do not get enough daily physical activity. The U.S. Department of Health’s recommendation for 6-17-year-olds is at least one hour of moderate to intense physical activity per day, but most children fall short of that. 
   Interactive activity spaces offer a fun way for children to get their fitness in, along with hand-eye coordination and some academics. Time spent with an interactive activity space can have a lasting, positive impact on a child. 
3. Enhances learning with a multisensory approach - The majority of people do not learn effectively when the only pedagogical approach is stand-and-deliver lecturing. Most students also need a visual component, and many perform better when there is a kinesthetic element as well. 
   Interactive activity spaces combine sound, visuals and action to help students access information in a variety of ways. That means more effective learning. 
4. Simple operation for teachers and students - Interactive activity spaces are simple for students to use and simple for teachers to operate. The system can be started up with a single button press and operated using a remote control or device. 

Installing an interactive activity space is also simple, especially if you are partnered with an AV integrator to handle the installation. An integrator can also train teachers on the system’s use, including backend features for lesson building and delivery. 

Interactive activity spaces bring a technological edge to the classroom or gym, encouraging students to engage their minds and bodies. They are also easy to use and easy to set up, so they are an ideal fit in any school.