Touch Screen Technology and the Performing Arts

We are all familiar with touch screens. Our smartphones, tablets and the kiosk at McDonalds all use the same type of technology that allow the user to simply touch a point on the screen to make a selection, draw a line, move an object or access an application.

While that technology has worked very well on devices we can hold in our hand or lap for more than two decades, there has been a bit of a struggle getting it to work consistently and well on larger screens meant for group or classroom work. Until recently, factors like the number of touch points, the response time to touches, the clarity of the graphics, and quality/durability of the screen itself were drawbacks to investing in touch-screen hardware for classroom or teaching use. But like most technology, improvements now have made it so touch screens are now an effective teaching device found in many classrooms from kindergarten to college.

So how can that 65-inch screen that dominates the front of the music room, drama rehearsal space or debate advisor’s classroom be used as effectively to support those co-curriculars as it does between first and last period every day? Will one company’s device, with its device-based features, do so while another brand name will not be as effective or even usable?

Just as two different cars share a majority of the same capabilities (carry passengers, drive from place to place, etc.), touch screens from different manufacturers share most of the significant features. Those features fall into three categories: Device-based Applications, Screen Sharing and Connected Devices. They allow the touch screen to be a valuable educational tool during the school day, and they can be used to support the performing arts through the sharing of information, access to learning aids and practice opportunities. As with any use of technology, some training and practice is required, made easier by touch screen’s reliance upon the purely human response of touch.

Each touch screen’s device-based applications can include a wide variety of apps based on the OS that the display itself uses. All touch screens will have a whiteboard app, a browser app and the ability to split the screen within or between apps. The possible uses of those three capabilities in supporting the performing arts are endless primarily because of the access to the Internet that the browser provides.

The browser provides the ability to clearly display and share concert and theatrical performances, recorded debates, lectures and instructions, technique demonstrations and similar videos. This would provide the director, coach or advisor with an endless supply of information as well as giving them access to their own saved documents to share and modify, create and collaborate. Combine this with the ability to either annotate right on the browser window (video or document) or have half the screen for writing, listing, diagramming or detailing what their members are viewing. Videos of their own performances or rehearsals can also be displayed (and with the touch screen’s camera option, actually captured by the device). The whiteboards are endless pages so anything written earlier in the practice can be retrieved and everything can be saved for future use. Grids, field diagrams, seating charts, literally any graphic can be added to the whiteboard to be used over and over again for diagramming or planning purposes.

If there is a specific program or application used for the co-curricular that is not Internet-based or will run on the touch screen itself, Screen Sharing would allow the leader’s device to be displayed in real-time, remotely. Whatever is on their computer, smartphone or tablet is then shared clearly and brightly on the display. Any changes or entries made, features highlighted, programs run are shown for all to see. Because it is done wirelessly, the leader can be anywhere in the room (or actually the school building) to connect their device to the display. In addition, any other can do the same so if another coach or a student has something that all should see, they can be allowed to access the display. All touch screens can allow multiple such connections and many have the ability to display up to four different shared devices at once. The ability of the leader to control the display content remotely provides a wide variety of possibilities in all performing arts including the use of their device’s camera and recording capabilities.

Should the information source be very specialized and only available when operated through a specific device (such as an old VHS tape or CD-ROM), the touch screen can accept the input from that player directly through a wired connection. A wide variety of ports are available on all touch screens, ranging from the older VGA & RCA to HDMI, USB-A and USB-C. By connecting a computer through the USB-C port, the touch screen then displays the computer’s screen (or works as a second monitor would) and becomes equivalent to a large tablet running the computer directly. A connection-specific app can also be downloaded to that computer so that additional features, such as live annotation, can be accessed while connected. With touch screens that have the camera feature, the rehearsal or practice can be recorded and then played back immediately.

With their screen recording ability, all of the display’s activity can be saved for future reference or to be shared with members who were not able to attend that session. With their connectivity, remote connections can be made so that members who are elsewhere can participate in the rehearsal or practice as well as being able to have other coaches or presenters connect directly with those present. Besides the ability to communicate through a plethora of means to the participants in the room, the displays can share or save information remotely wherever there is an Internet connection.

Including an available touch screen in any co-curricular rehearsal, practice, demonstration or presentation will expand the materials available for sharing, enhance the method those materials are presented and provide ways for those materials to be shared or stored for others to use then or at a future time. With a bit of training and a little practice, any director, coach or advisor can develop ways to make the most of this technology to improve their presentations, discussions or communication. And with that improvement will come more time for actual rehearsing, practicing and preparing.