This week, we would like to share a few interesting technology products that may not necessarily have a direct impact on teaching and learning. However, they could spark conversations and potentially ideas that indirectly influence teaching. Besides, some of these innovations are really cool. You need to hear about them if you have not already.
Oculus Rif
Have you heard of the virtual-reality headset, Oculus Riff, recently purchased by Facebook? Virtual-reality technology is being used to help people overcome post-traumatic-stress and phobias. Never telling how this will be used in an educational setting.
http://www.oculusvr.com/
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/09/tech/gaming-gadgets/game-thrones-oculus-rift-sxsw/index.html
Displair
http://displair.com/
A virtual touchscreen in thin-air that responds to gestures. Who knows what kinds of apps will be
developed to optimize this gesture sensitive device.
Technology Implants
In “Final Cut,” Robin Williams plays a man responsible for editing the recordings of the “Zoe implant,” a small recording device parents had embedded in their children at birth that captures every minute of that child’s life until they die. What appeared as a far-fetched idea in this movie will soon be a reality. http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/08/tech/forget-wearable-tech-embeddable-implants/
And, just because it is cool…
Solar Power from Cans
Using label-free beer cans for solar power? What next?
http://www.cansolair.com/
Additional Resources
- http://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/computers-internet-blog.htm
- http://www.alibabaoglan.com/blog/gartners-technology-predictions-2014-2015-2016/
Need Help?
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, contact the Instructional Media Lab (413-545-2823 or instruct@oit.umass.edu).
