Google TV Reaches Out to Academia via New "Google TV for EDU" Program

Earlier this week, Google launched "Google TV for EDU," which it bills as a seeding program to support university research. "Google TV for EDU asks campuses around the country: how can educators enhance the Web on TV for the classroom?," Google TV product manager, Miriam Schneider, explained on the Google TV blog. "Specifically, we're asking faculty how their research could: 1) Generate new interest in television engineering; 2) Make computer science tangible for students; 3) Help in the development of smart TV curricula and new educational tools; 4) Contribute to in-classroom and distance learning over television; 5) Reach a wide audience."

According to Google, the program will see it providing select university faculty who have "experience and leadership in television" with Google TV-enabled Logitech Revue boxes for carrying out their research in the classroom. The company says that, over the next few months, it plans to publish the results of this research, as well as information on new educational applications.

Google says that the new Google TV program builds on a collaboration with the Google Student Ambassador Program and University Programs which began last semester when Google Student Ambassadors hosted Google TV study breaks on over 30 campuses. "The ambassadors had students compete to win Sony Internet TV's for their friends and school," Google's Schneider wrote. "They hosted pizza breaks, tech challenges, YouTube marathons and, of course, college football viewing parties. The top seven most creative study breaks won two Sony Internet TV's to give back to their college as a reward for their school spirit and enthusiasm for Google TV. The momentum from the Google TV study breaks has carried over into the classroom. Already, the Web on TV has proven itself as a great platform for early education and reading skills with Web apps like PBS Kids and Meegenius. However, professors have expressed interest in expanding these opportunities to all levels of learning."