Maker Journal #3 – Speaker Call
For my third Maker Journal, I
chose one of our guest speaker calls, Augmented Reality with Julie Willcott on
October 16, 2017 from 3:30-4:30. My
goal with selecting this technology is to update my toolbox with more modern
toolsets and to consider as part of the Maker Journal how this tackles one of
the four course questions; ‘How
might we design learning to embrace principles of computational thinking?”
Overview
Post call I was able to get some
additional information on our guest speaker, Julie Willcott, according to her
Linkedin Profile, she designs and delivers learning experiences for educators
with a focus on science and technology.
She provides training on zSpace immersive learning applications and was
recognized by Apple in 2013 as an Apple Distinguished Educator. Julie did spend some time speaking about
zSpaces and how they might get integrated; lab setups, classrooms,
libraries/media, and student resource centers.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual Reality (VR) provides for more real-world
experiences, using illusions (flight simulations, travel, etc.). VR uses
computer-generated simulations in which an entire 3-D environment is rendered
in the closest thing to real world. A person can then use a variety of electronic
equipment to interact with the scene and control the environment.
The best VR experience comes when the user’s sight and
hearing is restricted to the VR world, this can be accomplished using a variety
of headsets and other equipment which is readily available, see examples of the types of headsets directly below.
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| 3D VR Glasses |
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| Oculus Rift + Touch Virtual |
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| Samsung Gear VR Headset |
Once the headset is on and adjusted to block out the
world, either your body or controls can move you around the 3-D
environment. The goal of any VR system
is to completely immerse the user in a new simulated environment, headsets,
canceling surround sound headphones help with the immersion.
In the YouTube videos below, Google Earth VR offers the
next step in viewing our world allowing you to fly over a city, stand on the
edge of a mountain and even soar into space.
Google Earth VR— This is going to change the world!
Check
out this website that provides more ideas for “Here
are our favorite things to do in Google Earth VR” (Hunt, C. 2017).
In
addition to Google Earth VR, there are practical applications for using VR in radiographic
suites; enabling view of detailed 3-D models to allow physicians visualize
complex imaging studies and plan surgeries (MD, B.C. 2017).
The article explains the prototype VR uses CT and MRI scans with video
gaming graphics to produce a detailed 3-D model that may be viewed in VR.
Future
Flight and scenario simulation uses
virtual reality as a tool for training without actually having to be in a real
life situation. In gaming VR takes people out of their real world and gives
them a totally different experience. Although virtual reality has been around a
long time it is still a great way to escape from the real world altogether and
be totally immersed in another. Julie
mentioned technology that is coming that provides a simulation of physicians
interacting with patients, asking questions and diagnosing them.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality (AR) is the application
of technology to superimpose information on digitally rendered images, 3-D
models of human heart. Julie in her
presentation discussed the use of the technology with “manipulation of a
cadaver students wear gloves and the response you get shows how the cadaver
would feel, i.e. bone is hard, tissue is soft”, (haptic feedback).
Interesting enough I found that they have
3-D and 4-D software available for purchase at the App Store; Anatomy 4-D for
example provides views of the human body and heart using AR and other
technologies. Some of the smartphones in
the market today have all the necessary components needed in the creation of
augmented reality hence they are commonly used for most of AR experiences.
The following YouTube provides an
application of AR technology by modeling the human heart.
The AR technology modeled here shows a pumping heart and
the sounds of a heartbeat. Once you
download the software on your smartphone or related technology, the application
is superimposed over a 3-D learning card.
The AR application automatically recognizes it is a human heart and
provides options on a menu / wheel, where you may choose to hide or show any heart
components, making the illustration interactive. It is an amazing learning experience!
The resourced titled, “AugmentedReality for the Study of Human Heart Anatomy”, reflected an evaluation which
was conducted in two different facets. In the first one, the authors of the
paper evaluated the feasibility of a three-dimensional human heart module using
one investigator under the supervision of an expert. In the second, evaluation
aims at identifying usability issues by means of the cognitive walkthrough
method (Matine, K. Konstantinos, N., Panagiotis B,. and Nikos, A. 2015). They found as a result of
the study that using technology such as, AR Human Heart Anatomy was feasible
and doable to educate young physicians (Matine, K. Konstantinos, N., Panagiotis B,. and Nikos, A. 2015).
Additionally this technology is being used to aide nurses in
locating veins. “The technology works by beaming harmless
near-infrared light at your arm. Our veins contain a lot of deoxygenated
haemoglobin, and because this is absorbed by infrared light, it creates an
image of exactly where your veins are under the skin.”, (MacDonald, F. 2014). “On behalf of everyone out there with hard
to find veins: thank you, science.”, (MacDonald, F. 2014).
New Technologyfor the Blood Service
Future
Augmented reality is used widely across
different industries for various applications; education, travel, shopping, and
gaming. It is also being used in gaming
and more recently with mobile technology using global positioning system (GPS)
signals to add more realism and accuracy.
It will be interesting to see how this technology evolves and where it
takes us next.
Mixed Reality (MR)
Mixed Reality (MR) is
a combination of virtual and real world environments. Magic Leap is
company at the forefront in the development of mixed reality. Magic Leap’s technology is built around “dynamic digitalized light field signal which can
merge realistic computer graphics what the user sees in the real world”. “Essentially the technology coordinates how
the human eye and brain process images which is why the computer graphics feel
and move more naturally. Wearable projector / goggles track the user’s eye tricking
the brain that digital light signals made in the goggles are as real as the
world around us. Photonics chip (3-D) is
used to create the digital light signals.”
The two YouTube videos offered in this
section provide some background on the technology.
Future
Mixed Reality comes along with considerable
potential of changing how people interact and communicate in that it can
provide the ability for experts to advise or coach others on how to
do something without being physically present.
The question is, what will technology adoption look like in
our day to day operations. Mixed Reality
at Microsoft for example, looks like this; “our ideas move beyond boundaries of
paper, screens and description. The barriers between our physical and digital
worlds will disappear.”, (Kipman, Alex 2017).
More On Where This Technology is Headed in the Future
This final YouTube provides some insight on where this technology is headed in the future. It speaks of the promise to bring about the conversion of AR and VR and that blend of reality and illusion could well be what our world will look like.
You Tube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2y12s7FHxA
Reflection
My reflection on the guest speaker topic Augmented Reality
(AR) / Virtual Reality (VR) was first and foremost, enlightening! I never really gave that much thought to the
differences in the technology.
AR being the application of technology to superimpose
information on digitally rendered images, for example, 3D models of human
heart. As I consider the potential
benefits of this technology I really appreciate the implications for teaching
medical disciplines using AR 3-D models, imagine being able to look at a human
heart in ways we never could before.
Particularly for those of us who learn best by hands on and doing.
VR provides for more real-world experiences, using
illusions (flight simulations, travel, etc.).
A creation of an interactive, alternative world that change as we move
around them. Very cool technology for
certain right out of our favorite Sci-Fi shows like Star Trek;
“holodecks’! I am left wondering the
impact of VR on collaboration and sharing.
Finally there is Mixed Reality, a combination of virtual
and real world environments. Very cool
technology for certain right out of our favorite Sci-Fi shows like Star Trek;
‘holodecks’! I am left wondering the
impact of this technology on collaboration and sharing.
I was left thinking about the connections to Computational
Thinking goals outlined in the vision document from ISTE
and Computer Science for Teachers. In particular:
- Formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a computer and other tools to help solve them.
- Representing data through abstractions such as models and simulations.
In any event I have a new appreciation for the technology
and that the application potentials are immense. I look forward to seeing where
this technology takes us next!
Resource(s)
- Matina, K., Konstantinos, N., Panagiotis B., Nikos, A. (2015). Augmented Reality for the Study of Human Heart Anatomy. Retrieved from https://ikee.lib.auth.gr/record/280489/files/augmentedreality.pdf
- MacDonald, F. (n.d.). This Technology Shows Nurses Where Your Veins Are. Retrieved from http://www.sciencealert.com/new-technology-shows-nurses-where-your-veins-are-to-make-giving-blood-less-painful
- Introducing Google Earth VR. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://vr.google.com/earth/
- Hunt, C. (2017, May 08). Here are our favorite things to do in Google Earth VR. Retrieved from https://www.vrheads.com/google-earth-vr
- MD, B.C. (2017, April 05). IMedical Apps: Virtual Reality Comes to Clinical Imaging. Retrieved from https://www.medpagetoday.com/blogs/iltifathusain/64373?pop=0&ba=1&xid=tmd-md&hr=trendMD
- The era of Windows Mixed Reality begins October 17. (2017, October 04). Retrieved from https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/03/the-era-of-windows-mixed-reality-begins-october-17
- ISTE Standards for Computer Science Educators. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/for-computer-science-educators
- You Tube Video. Google Earth VR - This is going to change the world!. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vle65dFr6Ng
- You Tube Video. Google Earth VR - Bringing the whole wide world to virtual reality. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCrkZOx5Q1M
- You Tube Video. 4-D Models of Human Heart. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoLIdRCzET8
- You Tube Video. New Technology for the Blood Service. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlsohMj_IVA
- You Tube Video. The Untold Story of Magic Leap, the World's Most Secretive Startup. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLkFWq_ipCc
- You Tube Video. Magic Leap Virtual Reality-Behold the Future. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvAh5ajfBq8
- You Tube Video. AR, VR, MR: Making Sense of Magic Leap and the Future... Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2y12s7FHxA
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