BUSINESS
MLE develops links to Irish universities
14-02-2003
by Andrew McLindon
A EUR10 million initiative had led to the establishment of nearly 20 research projects involving Ireland's top universities and Media Lab Europe.
The 18 projects cover a range of topics and areas from 3D micro-sensors to the development of reality technology for prosthetic limbs. Its EUR1.25 million in annual funding comes from the government through the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The thinking behind the initiative is to bring a multidisciplinary approach to research, something which is not common in Irish university research at the moment, said Dr. Gary McDarby, principal investigator at Media Lab Europe.
"We have engineers working with medical researchers, we have researchers from Trinity College combining with their colleagues in UCD. Our belief is that this kind of approach produces out-of-the-box thinking and results that would not be possible with conventional research," remarked Dr McDarby.
Several of the projects involve making learning more interesting for pupils through the use of technology. One example sees researchers in DCU and Media Lab Europe, along with teachers and pupils in national schools in Dublin and Kilkenny, examining the impact of sensors on children's learning capabilities.
The sensors are designed to be compatible with mobile and static computational platforms such as the programmable Lego RCX Mindstorms system. The researchers have developed a number of physical and chemical sensors, which have been introduced into the primary schools involved as part of the new science curriculum.
Experiments, such as measuring oxygen, acidity and colour, incorporate the sensor technology, turning the tasks into a fun activity, according to the researchers.
Another example has seen digital technology introduced in 13 primary schools across Ireland with the aim of enabling children to build and program learning models that interact with the physical world through sensors and motors.
Their teachers are also involved in this process and together they have implemented projects that incorporate crafts, mechanics, sensing, control and programming. This, for instance, has seen pupils building and programming interactive Lego versions of Viking ships in order to learn more about the history of the ancient Nordic warriors.
The project has also been extended to the Web and participating schools can use a collaborative Web environment to share their work and ideas on 'learning through doing.'
The overall initiative is halfway through its proposed seven-year life and Dr McDarby is seeking additional funding to enable further projects to be brought on board. "Such projects need to be encouraged and nurtured because the future of Ireland as a knowledge economy depends on retaining highly skilled multidisciplinary individuals who can develop innovative technologies that can become the products of tomorrow," he said.
McDarby added that MediaLab Europe does not receive any of the EUR10 million in funding and has supported the idea, in part, so it could develop its direct links with Irish universities.
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