A few videos on augmented reality

“… there are those who use blogs, wireless handheld devices, and podcasting not because these technologies address a specific instructional need or solve a challenging pedagogical problem, but simply because these tools exist and are currently in vogue.” (Sanders) However it is possible that just by using the technology we are forming a chain from very minimal impact to a fundamental shift in what we are able to achieve. For example if you look at the google googles video of their visual search function it might seem a little pedestrian.

However the interlocking pieces of the puzzle such as the ability to access a database using something other than text, the ability to view database information in a natural context may provide affordances.  As Kerawalla talks about in her experience of using technology in the science classroom. ‘It also affords the demonstration of spatial relationships and the interactions of elements within a 3D space (e.g. Shelton and Hedley2003) whilst providing the potential for seamless interaction between the real and virtual worlds (e.g. Billinghurst 2003; Shelton 2003).  Examples of this type of augmented reality can be seen here in the form of an augmented smartboard and below with the drumkit.

This is interesting in terms of Sanders article where he states that a possible distopian view of technology as taking us away from the real contact.  ‘Tomorrow’s students might be able to isolate themselves from human contact and simultaneously be more connected than at any previous point in history.’

Potentially it is only the affordances we can see right now that lead us to these view of technology.  It may be that as technology becomes increasingly sophisticated it enables a world that is both data rich and face to face with affordances that are hard to conceptualise right now.  Providing an opportunity for a future that is rich in human contact and provides all the technological affordances of the most creative sci-fi visions.

Kerawalla L, Luckin R, Seljeflot S and Woolard 06, “Making it real”: exploring the potential of augmented reality for teaching primary school science, Journal of Virtual Reality V10 N3-4, p163-174

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