RIGEL data logger and Games unit

• Michael was granted a Ministry of Education e-Learning Fellowship during 2008. You can find his report eLearning research report here.
• He was named a Microsoft Innovative Teacher for his work. Read the latest ideas about innovation in education here: Learning from Life: Communities of Learning via a Connected Curriculum.
• He was also a finalist for the NZ INTERFACE magazines 'Best use of ICT in Teaching' award.

Scientist and Inglewood High School teacher Michael Fenton has a way of getting to the hearts of his students…quite literally.

He has invented a novel "black-box" similar to a Star Trek 'tricorder' that could revolutionise the way students learn in schools across the country. He has successfully trialled the Real-world Interactive Games and Electronics Link (RIGEL) with his Year 13 students to analyse their respiration rates and can even record and display heartbeats. "The RIGEL system is a mobile sensor and games-based learning technology to support students in Science, Mathematics and Physical Education of all year levels, useful in Primary, Intermediate and Secondary schools" Michael said. "The unique aspect is its versatility and low cost. It is entirely possible that every student in a school could be issued with the device as part of their stationery - RIGEL becomes as essential as having pens or a calculator. Students can even wear RIGEL and play laser tag at lunchtimes to encourage physical activity and fitness."

"The impact nationally of using a system like RIGEL to help deliver the New Zealand curriculum could be enormous. Students discover a desire to investigate and analyse the world around them. They see themselves in charge of their learning, rather than passively receiving information for exams."

Michael is well qualified to see the benefits across multiple subject and curriculum levels; he is unique in having taught Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computing and Electronics to Tertiary level as well as at various Secondary schools.

"Coming from a research as well as a teaching background has been hugely beneficial and meant I could develop the whole system from scratch myself - the sensors, the pods and the software to display and record information."

The project is aimed at encouraging greater student motivation, interest, and ownership of their learning. "In Calculus we have discussed plans to integrate this technology into their cars so we can sit inside the maths classroom and monitor engine performance graphically and mathematically.

RIGEL has been a great motivator this year for real-world problem solving " Mr Fenton said.

Why would a busy teacher and parent invest so much time and effort voluntarily?

"Students find it difficult to be inspired by pioneers and inventors of the past; they will never meet them. In my view it is the person in front of the class - the teacher - who needs to be inspirational; who should be the role model for learning, research, and taking (educated) risks. If the teacher is excited about the learning, so are the students. RIGEL is a research project evolving in front of my classes. I have seen them become really enthusiastic as RIGEL developed from an idea to a reality. They can see all sorts of possibilities for its use across a wide number of traditionally unconnected subjects."

While he admits the system has its limitations, Michael says the benefits in comparison to costs are undeniable.

While research and development is still in progress, RIGEL has an impressive list of capabilities beyond the classroom and into the home.

RIGEL can remotely monitor or activate equipment or machinery. monitor alarms and act as a security system monitor respiration and heartbeat link a player remotely to games on a computer or 3D games projected into a room encourage exercise when used to play Laser Tag outside In the classroom RIGEL can be set to different modes. Multi-discipline learning is possible between, but not limited to, any of

Biology Chemistry Physics Astronomy Earth Science Forensics Mathematics Physical Education Robotics/Electronics Game design Geography.