Teresa Dillon
KEYWORDS
Research and development commission for creating pervasive (anytime, anywhere) technological mediated enviromental learning experiences.
WHEN AND WHERE?
2005-2008 all over the UK. For further details check out the main project website on www.participateonliine.co.uk
WHAT IS PARTICIPATE?
Polar Produce have been commissioned by the BBC to work on the Participate project. Participate is three year (2005-2008) collaboration between the University of Nottingham and Bath University, Microsoft Research Cambridge, Blast Theory, British Telecom, Sciencescope and the BBC.
The aim of the project is to create pervasive computing (anytime, anywhere) experiences, which allow the general public, schools and specialist groups to democratically participate and engage in issues about the environment. One of the key challenges is to explore the convergence in pervasive, online and broadcast media to create new kinds of mass-participatory events in which a broad cross-section of the public contributes to, as well as accesses, contextual content - on the move, in public places, at school and at home.
During the first stage of development (Feb 2005-Aug 2006) Polar Produce were commissioned by the BBC to focus on the user experience within the schools side of the project. This involved exploring the kinds of narratives, which will excite and motivate young people and teachers to become involved in using pervasive technology for sensing the environment. The outcomes of this first stage are currently in review.
During the second phase of development (Aug 2006-July 2007) alongside the BBC and the main partners, Polar Produce will be be co-leading on project management, plus designing and developing the website. The schools website will act as a central host spot and aggregation tool for the schools side of the Participate project.
Participate is a three year project core funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).