Interactive Information Software

[Liquids]

I have been tasked to find some software that students can interact with using a touchscreen monitor. The closest thing to it that I can think of is like the screens in museums. Think they will want to add their own information on about multiple subjects but I am struggling to find any suitable and affordable solutions. Ideally I would like it to be easy so I could at least try get staff to do it themselves.

 

Anyone have anything similar, if so what do you use?

[andy_b]

Not sure I fully understand the brief tbh, as I would currently say Powerpoint.

[David44]

I can't recommend anything particularly but wouldn't it just be a case of using any software you already have for this type of thing and for the content creator to just keep in mind that it is going to be used on a touchscreen device and so make the buttons nice and large etc?

 

Whatever you currently use to make web content, Google Sites, wix.com some other WYSIWYG editor etc., use that.

 

Actually, it got me thinking. Could Google Slides do this? The answer seems to be yes, just add some shapes as buttons, link them to other slides within the same presentation and then play the presentation full screen. I suspect PowerPoint could so something similar.

[PotNoodleTech]

Create a google sites website with al the info on and then if it's a touchscreen device the users can browse around the site at their own leisure? just make sure you put lots of back buttons around the place so they can go back one step.

[Liquids]

I did think about similar options but ideally wanted to use something that I could just hand off more or less straight after purchase so it wouldn't become an extra thing I have to manage but I guess as mentioned I probably am just going to have to create something myself. Appreciate the responses.

[jthompson]

I would second the Google Sites suggestion, particularly if your staff have Google Workspace accounts already. That's about as simple as content management is going to get.

 

If you have managed Chrome devices, you could use those in kiosk mode to present it in a nicely locked down way, too.

[dhicks]

The closest thing to it that I can think of is like the screens in museums.

 

A website of some kind (maybe Google Sites, but there are many content management / static site generation systems around to choose from), displayed on a touch-screen device in full-screen "kiosk" mode. We use managed ChromeOS devices for our front-lobby display screens, those have been very reliable - power management is a simple mains timer switch that turns them off at night / on in the morning. As pointed out above, if you're using a full-screen kiosk-mode browser there won't be any standard "back" or other controls on screen for the user, so your website template is going to have to include navigation buttons.

 

What sort of size device are you aiming for? Is this in a public area where you want something fixed to a wall or plinth? If tablet-sized then I'd go for a managed device of some sort (iPad, Android tablet or ChromeOS tablet), if medium-sized then a touch-screen monitor with a NUC-style PC, if larger (55" upwards) then you might want to start looking at interactive touch screens with OPS slot PCs.

[TechMonkey]

More information for the use case would probably help. Again, using Kiosk mode, you could use MS Sway, to show videos, stacks and other information, but it isn't going to be interesting to navigate, as it is mostly scrolling.

[Liquids]

The first one they mentioned being mounted in the library and then they may place some elsewhere too. Been looking at a couple of 24-27inch touchscreen monitors which we currently use for our signing in system and they seem like they would do the job for a relatively cheap price. Thinking if I use google sites I could just stick a machine with chrome os there and it'd be fairly reliable, just finding the time to add all the content they want etc. As far as the use I think they just want students to be able to interact with content for example click a picture and it flips to reveal the information.

[tl82]

Have you tried Brightsign players and it’s free authoring software? I work in a museum and this is our preferred kit for interactives. Easiest to manage and install. Older, non-networked players don’t even need annual cloud licenses

 

https://www.brightsign.biz

[dhicks]

Been looking at a couple of 24-27inch touchscreen monitors which we currently use for our signing in system and they seem like they would do the job for a relatively cheap price.

 

Depending on what hardware you already have / want, maybe a simple TV / monitor floor-standing VESA-mount stand to hold the screen (£50):

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/XINLEI-Rolling-Adjustable-Portable-200x200mm/dp/B0CM8ZZN2P/ref=sr_1_4

 

Or you could maybe build / carve / turn a nice stand / plinth of some sort (good project for a GCSE DT pupil, if you have one handy) and add a VESA bracket.

 

A search for "Mini PC" on Amazon finds devices from around £130. We have a couple of cheap Amazon-bought mini PCs with ChromeOS Flex installed powering our lobby display screens. Do note that for kiosk mode on ChromeOS you need a managed ChromeOS device, so that'll be another £30 or so for the one-off management license cost if you're adding a new device. Don't forget to get a long enough power extension cable to be able to plug the device in - we have ours on a simple timer switch, ChromeOS handles being turned off/on just fine.

 

If your staff already use Google Workspace then you should be able to create a set of Google Sites files and give them edit access. Myself, I think I would prefer to use a static site generation tool to build the content site from a set of Word / Docs files as your typical teacher / admin office person tends to find that more familiar.