Texterritory (2008)

Texterritory is a unique, integrated learning platform that uses mobile phones (and/or a web interface) as the driver for two-way group interaction between a teacher and his/her audience/class. Students respond to given scenarios presented in multiple-choice format by their teachers or fellow classmates by "texting" their preferred course of action into the system via mobile phone or sending it through the web. Responses appear onscreen as animated text or image clusters: an instant assessment that can productively and coherently redirect or coalesce classroom discussion. Teachers can plan with Texterritory, deploying a series of interactive moments in lessons to build dynamic student-driven narratives. Once a nuisance in the classroom, the mobile phone redefined through Texterritory works as a vital, integrated learning instrument.

Originally developed by Sheron Wray and Fleeta Siegel as part of an interactive performance practice, Texterritory will be adapted and extended for use in a series of teacher-focused workshops in New York, Chicago, and London.