Do you remember your younger years- dreading going to a class, be it music or math, where you were terrified of the teacher? As you timidly take your seat you glance over at the dictarian sitting behind the large desk, half moon glasses over a sharp nose and a look that could make you sink into your already uncomfortable chair?

This incredible 7:09 minute demo is worth every second and will give you a whole new perspective. In it David Merrill, an MIT graduate, takes educational innovation to a new level. These small computer blocks have been programmed to recognize each other and allow for a creative interface.

As an example, David shows how the blocks interact when being used for basic mathematical equations. By moving around the blocks and realigning them in any  particular order, the totals change to the correct value. You can already see educators tickled with glee at the chance to make math fun. Who knows, even the kids seem to like it!

But Sifltables can do much much more. Musically inclined, David Merrill build a program that allows the user to “compose” a musical sequence via Bass, Tempo, Reverb, Lead etc. While it might seem to be in its preliminary stages, just imagine what the possibilities will be as Siftables gets fine tuned.

I don’t want to give away all the fun- just click the link below and get your checkbook ready!

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/david_merrill_demos_siftables_the_smart_blocks.html