subject: The Touch Screen Providing New Potential For Creative Control [print this page] Computers have certainly come a long way since their birth in the 1940s, initially they were so big and so expensive to construct that Thomas J Watson predicted there would only ever be a worldwide market for maybe five computers. Nowadays it seems to be more of a rarity to find someone that doesnt come into contact with a computer on a regular basis, even someone who works as a labourer is likely to have to use a computer at some point in their daily routine.
Digital technology and mediums are having a huge impact on many aspects of economical and social development, the working world is quickly moderating itself so as to taka full advantage of the potential provided by digital mediums and people are beginning to opt for social networking sites as their preferred choice of communication. New technology is even beginning to shape the learning preferences and styles of younger generations, with a higher percentage of students now preferring interactive learning approaches. In fact Gary Small goes as far as to say that this period of technological advances will cause our brains to adapt at a rate that they have not since the first tools.
The effects of digital technology in education are quite significant, with tools such as interactive whiteboards and student response systems interactive learning processes have become easier to implement. And when a student learns through such interactive processes they tend to learn the material based on logic and reasoning, rather than simply on call and response. Furthermore new interfaces are providing potential for creative control in a number of realms, from graphics to music. The introduction of the touch screen has proved to set the foundation for many innovations to come; already there are thousands of apps that take advantage of the technology and a number of bits of kit.
Finding new methods to interface with computers is something that is essential for expression, so for artistic projects there are a number of implications. For instance, a graphic designer might not be able to draw something with the same expression without a graphics tablet, or a musician might not be able to express an idea without a musical interface. The touch screens found on tablet computers and smart phones hold a lot of potential as they can be used to perform many functions, if you need a slider it can be programmed in etc. Theres no doubt that this type of versatility will prove to be the catalyst for many innovative ideas for creative control of digital technology.
