A Multimodal Ambient Intelligence Environment for Playful Learning

This paper reports the design, development and evaluation of a technological framework for learning applications, named AmI Playfield, aimed at creating challenging learning conditions through play and entertainment. AmI Playfield is an educative Ambient Intelligent (AmI) environment which emphasizes the use of kinesthetic and collaborative technology in a natural playful learning context and embodies performance measurement techniques. In order to test and assess AmI Playfield, the "Apple Hunt" application was developed, which engages (young) learners in arithmetic thinking through kinesthetic and collaborative play, observed by unobtrusive AmI technology behind the scene. "Apple Hunt" has been evaluated according to a combination of methodologies suitable for young testers, whereas Children Committees are introduced as a promising approach to evaluation with children. The obtained results demonstrate the system's high potential to generate thinking and fun, deriving from the learners' full-body kinesthetic play and team work

A Multimodal Ambient Intelligence Environment for Playful Learning

Abstract: This paper reports the design, development and evaluation of a technological framework for learning applications, named AmI Playfield, aimed at creating challenging learning conditions through play and entertainment. AmI Playfield is an educative Ambient Intelligent (AmI) environment which emphasizes the use of kinesthetic and collaborative technology in a natural playful learning context and embodies performance measurement techniques. In order to test and assess AmI Playfield, the "Apple Hunt" application was developed, which engages (young) learners in arithmetic thinking through kinesthetic and collaborative play, observed by unobtrusive AmI technology behind the scene. "Apple Hunt" has been evaluated according to a combination of methodologies suitable for young testers, whereas Children Committees are introduced as a promising approach to evaluation with children. The obtained results demonstrate the system's high potential to generate thinking and fun, deriving from the learners' full-body kinesthetic play and team work

SMART- Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine

SMART is an innovative instrument for holistic sustainability analysis and evaluation of agricultural and food companies and is based on the globally valid SAFA guidelines. It was developed by more than 60 agricultural and sustainability experts and consists of a highly efficient database as well as a scientifically sound evaluation methodology including an extensive indicator pool. The assessment method involves, among other things, a weighting of the indicators according to the level of impact on the various SAFA subthemes. Furthermore, the sphere of influence and responsibility of the respective farm or company as well as the time, place and responsible party of sustainability impacts within the supply chain are being considered. SMART is not a new standard, certification system or label but solely an analysis and assessment instrument. It therefore does not compete with existing standards and certificates but is a useful supplement. The SMART tool should be implemented by experts, and therefore anyone interested in the tool should contact those responsible for the tool to arrange a training. The tool only works on computers with a Microsoft operating system