What will a school look like in about 5 to 10 years from now

One area where the convergence between ICT and AV will grow big is undoubtfuly the educational world. So far a modern classroom has a smartboard (interactive whiteboard, a projector and maybe tv for school television as we have in The Netherlands) and if it is really fancy students work on laptops or fixed computers.

Well this is about to change. Teachers will use onenote to create their readers so they can easily share with the students (who can pretty nicely add their notes into this). Tables will become multitouch devices Students can share their table or laptop screen with the teacher or classroom and applications are developed in a way that helps teachers in giving all students the right challenges.

2D screens will be replaced by 3D screens so you can actually walk through what you see and all lessons are recorded and available as streaming media (or on demand afterwards so you can recheck some stuff you have missed during class)

Digital signage and room reservation systems will be used to plan the classes and communicate changes.

Also the process of checking if people make their own exams or when still at the age that education is not a free will thing but mandatory pupils can be traced using RFID to see if they did attend the classes (this same rfid enabled student card can give some discounts in stores and keep track on the classes you have attended or modules you did in a class)

These are just a few ideas but it is pretty obvious that this needs an integrated approach to ICT and AV since it's actually a perfect blend of both. Also it is not as far away as we think. There are actually already groups working on a multi touch table for a class room with the educational software. Also laptops are getting pretty common in some areas. The big thing here is to look which building blocks are available in the market and stack them in a smart way

Some links to related articles and blogs are:

A nice blogpost on ZDnet:
Multi-touch screens are very fashionable these days, but there are not many practical applications for them. Now, researchers at Durham University in the UK are using them to develop the world’s first interactive classroom. The new learning environments are using ‘interactive multi-touch desks that look and act like a large version of an Apple iPhone.’ Their initiative, called SynergyNet, has several goals, including the development of learning by sharing. So far, the research team has linked up with manufacturers to design software and desks that recognize multiple touches on the desktop. But read more…

A great article on EurekAlert
Smart desks make sci-fi a reality in the classroom
Schools are set for a Star Trek make-over thanks to the development of the world's first interactive classroom by experts at Durham University.
Researchers at the Technology-Enhanced Learning Research Group (TEL) are designing new learning environments using interactive multi-touch desks that look and act like a large version of an Apple iPhone.

Example: Click here to see how the new desks work: http://smart.dur.ac.uk/index.php?n=Main.MultitouchPage

The team observed how students and teachers interact in classes and how Information Communications technology (ICT) could improve collaboration. They then set about designing an interactive classroom solution called 'SynergyNet' to reflect TEL's aims of achieving active student engagement and learning by sharing, problem-solving and creating.
The team has linked up with manufacturers to design software, and desks that recognize multiple touches on the desktop, using vision systems that can see infrared light.
SynergyNet will integrate ICT into the fabric of the classroom.

The new desk with a 'multi-touch' surface will be the central component; the desks will be networked and linked to a main smartboard offering new opportunities for teaching and collaboration. Several students will be able to work together at a desk as the desks allow simultaneous screen contact by multiple users using fingers or pens. Durham researchers want to create a 'natural way' for students to use computers in class. The system encourages collaboration between students and teachers, and a move away from teacher-centric learning.
Read more

The SMART table
One touch on the SMART Table screen is never enough. Young students are drawn to its surface, where work and play come together in hands-on, collaborative activities.
The SMART Table is the first multitouch, multiuser interactive learning center that allows groups of primary students to work simultaneously on its surface. The table's interface is so intuitive that even the youngest of students can get started without instructions.

An overview of the TEL (Technology enhanced learning) projects
http://smart.dur.ac.uk/index.php?n=Main.HomePage. Here you also find some info on their 3D projects where gaming and learnig gets one (anyone said that learning could not be fun). A direct link is http://smart.dur.ac.uk/index.php?n=Main.VLS3D