Marieke Luider

5/5 (1)

Digital transformations have reached numerous markets; you can buy and search products online easily, new products disrupt markets and using digital devices becomes more seamless every day. A field that can be currently described as evolving in this respect is education. Presently, students can make use of cloud solutions providing them (simultaneous) access to their files wherever they are. In addition, there are Virtual Reality apps that students can use to learn in a 3D world. For example, the app Star Chart can be used to discover the universe when aiming a phone at the night sky. And with the app inMind the brain and its anatomy can be studied while realistically viewing neurons and brain tissue (Lynch, 2017). But, Virtual Reality Intelligence could be improved and therefore companies are further exploring the possibilities of using Virtual Reality (VR) in Class Rooms. Would it not be interesting to view your learning objectives in 3D or even 4D?

Google is developing its ‘Google expeditions’ where teachers and students can go on “immersive virtual journeys” (Lawrie, 2017). In this way, they can explore digital spaces together. In addition, Google will offer VR training to teachers in order to show them how VR can be used to enhance literacy. (Lawrie, 2017). VR technology can be implemented in several educations. Medical education, for example, can use VR to show how certain parts of the body work in 3D. As a result of these new developments, a location is not a constraint anymore. Therefore it would lower location barriers – the need for students to physically attend classes – and correspondingly travel costs for students.

The role of teachers and students could also change drastically through these innovations. Research should be conducted whether VR constraints the learning capability of students on certain subjects. It should of course be an improvement of the learning environment, instead of adding only a fun factor. However, using more senses could be a contributor to better remembering learning subjects as well as interactive learning. In addition, VR can be costly to implement and heavier technology requirements are needed for good VR (Walsh, 2017). Consequently, it would be a waste of resources when it decreases the learning abilities or the amount of information learned by students.

What do you think of digitalization in the classroom? How do you think Virtual Reality can improve your learning environment?

References

Lawrie, G. (2017, 23 January). How our school is using Virtual Reality to prepare pupils for a future dominated by technology. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/01/23/school-using-virtual-reality-prepare-pupils-future-dominated/

Lynch, M. (2017, 11 March). 20 Top Virtual Reality Apps That are Changing Education. Retrieved from: http://www.thetechedvocate.org/20-top-virtual-reality-apps-that-are-changing-education/

Walsh, K. (2017, 14 June). Real Uses of Virtual Reality in Education: How Schools are Using VR. Retrieved from: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2017/06/real-uses-of-virtual-reality-in-education-how-schools-are-using-vr/

5/5 (3)

Using technology seems to become more seamless than ever. More people use interconnected devices, via Cloud or Wi-Fi for example. The Internet of Things (IoT) will only contribute to this, becoming increasingly important in the future. It has the ability to disrupt everything you are so used to right now. These ‘things’ (i.e. devices) will be connected to each other, communicating without human contact. Or more specifically : “IoT refers to the networked interconnection of everyday objects, which are often equipped with ubiquitous intelligence” (Xia et al., 2012). An interesting field for users as well as companies is traveling. Not only cars, but also public transportation, flights or even walking will be disrupted. How could the future of cars be changing?

In the automotive industry the disruption is already taking form. Drivers use Apps as navigation system, cars have integrated smart technologies such as remote valet assistants and blind spot technologies to shift lanes. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, revealed in January 2017 that Tesla’s cars would move from ‘enhanced autopilot’ to ‘fully self-driving’ in 3 to 6 months (Reese, 2017). Now, Tesla is still tweaking its technology but is successfully exploring possibilities. With enhanced autopilot, the cars can alter their speed to traffic conditions, merge on and off highways, change lanes and park by themselves (Muoio, 2017).

How could the Internet of Things increase this even further?

IoT collects and aggregates data using sensors, in order to take action in real-time. Street sensors could send information to cars, indicating free parking spots in real-time. Consequently, this would make user experiences even more seamless. In addition, it would decrease traffic congestion in cities since drivers are not looking for spots anymore. IBM actually demonstrated such a system on their blog which lets connected cars communicate, respond to emergency messages, inspect terrains, etc. (usiddiqui, 2016; Underwood, 2016).

IoT IBM

Source: https://www.ibm.com/blogs/bluemix/2016/05/smart-traffic-management-with-watson-iot-and-bluemix/

Challenges

With every new way of using technologies, challenges arise for multiple parties. Important issues will arise, including privacy and data security (Amyx, n.d.). When IoT sensors collect data, they could be able to follow and store data of individuals as well. Regulations could prevent the system to reach its full capacity. In addition, power consumption (Amyx, n.d.) could increase drastically since the number of active sensors and devices would increase using IoT. Thirdly, geographic dead zones with low density of IOT could make the system less valuable in those areas. However, it is assumable that individual parts of the system should be instructed to work even when the system is not there to back it up with information. After all, our rational way of thinking should not be hindered while relying on so many computerized devices.

How do you think the way of transportation by car will change? How can sharing a car be incorporated in to this vision of the future? Or should it not be incorporated at all? There are numerous ways of how technologies could shape the future of using cars. I am interested to hear your opinions and visions!

References

Amyx, S. (n.d.). Why the Internet of Things Will Disrupt Everything. Retrieved from: https://www.wired.com/insights/2014/07/internet-things-will-disrupt-everything/

Muoio, D. (2017). Tesla’s new Autopilot is getting a big update this weekend — here’s everything you need to know. Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-enhanced-autopilot-system-self-driving-features-2017-6?international=true&r=US&IR=T#enhanced-autopilot-is-made-possible-thanks-to-a-suite-of-new-hardware-that-tesla-has-been-integrating-into-vehicles-since-october-2016-for-examplenew-tesla-cars-now-have-eight-cameras-that-provide-360-degree-visibility-and-250-meters-820-feet-of-range-instead-of-one-camera-1

Reese, H. (2017). Tesla to release ‘fully self-driving’ mode in 3-6 months: What it means. Retrieved from : http://www.techrepublic.com/article/tesla-to-release-fully-self-driving-mode-in-3-6-months-what-it-means/

Usiddiqui (2016, 23 May). Smart traffic management for connected cars using Watson IoT and Node-RED on Bluemix. Retrieved from: https://www.ibm.com/blogs/bluemix/2016/05/smart-traffic-management-with-watson-iot-and-bluemix/

Underwood, M. (2016, 31 May). Smart Car, Meet the Smart City. Retrieved from: https://www.thedailybeast.com/smart-car-meet-the-smart-city

Xia, F., Yang, L. T., Wang, L., & Vinel, A. (2012). Internet of things. International Journal of Communication Systems, 25(9), 1101.

Virtual Reality & Education

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