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This article from the Economist gives a background on augmented reality, and explores future prospects: 2D bar codes, the evolution of Google Latitude, the future compass enabled Iphone.

I like the way the Nokia researcher describes "virtual reality" dividing into "augmented reality" (real world with layers of additional information) and "augmented virtuality" (virtual game worlds being made more information-rich). Helpful distinction.

"Virtual reality never really died, he says-it just divided itself in two, with AR enhancing the real world by overlaying information from the virtual realm, and VR becoming what he calls "augmented virtuality", in which real information is overlaid onto virtual worlds, such as players' names in video games... its potential is huge."

Background on Augmented Reality. Reading for 9/14.

Newest Disney attraction called - Sum of All Thrills where kids get to design their own virtual roller coaster. It uses virtual-reality technology. "Disney hopes the interactive nature of the ride would also help kids learn that math and science can be fun."

While I would not consider this incredibly expensive ride a 'distruptive innovation' or even an emerging ed technology, what Epcot has done by bringing this DIY-VR concept to the masses (if you are one of the masses that can A- afford Disney and B-have the patience to wait in line for `5-6 hours) is very important to future ed tech innovation strategies. The progression/invention of such cost prohibitive entertainment tools will fall squarely on the high-end theme parks and consumer venues. The challenge has been set by Epcot and now others must either compete directly or develop a better or more accessible solution. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few cost saving innovations that might be developed in this 'race'- Artificial G-Force Engline: variable air pressure, smart-chairs, fans

The developer kit would especially be helpful to developers planning on using the device to develop augmented reality applications. Typically, augmented reality refers to an enhanced (and, sometimes, fantastic) vision of reality.

This would also be very powerful for engineering applications, virtually "adding" prototypes from solidworks or 3D modeling programs to see their impact on objects or spaces. I also see a cool educational aspect where students could build theoretical bridges, building models, or art installations to see how they would impact the real space they might inhabit.

PBS Kids has developed its first augmented reality mobile phone app that overlays graphics onto real world environments. The game aims to teach math skills.

A soldier in Afghanistan. Some veterans suffer from diabling PTSD. > Doctors are hoping that virtual reality can help cure soldiers of their all-too-real wartime traumas. The New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Cente has received a $11 million grant from the Department of Defense to continue its research in using virtual reality therapy to heal those with combat-related PTSD.

This is a good example of how a product is trying to make you feel more immersed by placing virtual objects in the real world instead of a completely virtual world.

This could possibly put the 'fun' back in 'functional' - if students are operating within the "real world" on sincere applications, they may generalize their skills better. I'm all for perceiving my world in 50% cartoon ;o)

European scientists have integrated robotics, video, and various sensor and display technologies to transport someone into a geographically distant meeting room under the auspices of the Beaming through augmented media for natural networked gatherings (Beaming) project. The European Union-funded effort utilizes immersive virtual reality technologies in which a robotic avatar functions as the meeting participant's eyes, ears, and mouth. The participant wears a head-mounted display and is connected to sensors, enabling them to receive the avatar's video and audio feeds in three dimensions. The two-way connection also enables the participant's movements and responses to be mimicked by the robot.

One of the few uses of advanced technologies in the history curriculum

As delivery of history teaching to students becomes more and more realistic, it is more important than ever to ensure that we have in place a robust and diverse oversight network to ensure that the narrative being suggested is an accurate representation of the time and place, as opposed to a history-as-written-by-the-winners narrative, which is pervasive throughout many textbooks. For many students, this sort of immersion will overwhelm any alternative streams of knowledge coming from Harlem in the 20s, so it is vital that the VR be constructed in a way that captures the context of why it was such a dynamic time in New York. As for the creators of this technology having to turn to the porn industry for technical support, that should not come as a surprise, as many claim that porn has revolutionized, or at least been instrumental in, the emergence of many new industries from VHS to the internet.

An article from TheApple.com about 5 ways to provide virtual field trips for students, including augmented reality and a class trip to the moon.

Professors in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science are creating a multimedia system that uses multiple 3-D cameras to create avatars of humans in two different places, and then puts them in the same virtual space where they can interact.

Augmented reality (AR), which involves superimposing virtual objects and information on top of the real world, may be coming to a phone near you.

Virtual reality pioneer decries social networks

Meez, a start-up that expanded last year from an avatar creation service into a full-out virtual world for teens, is touting some good news: it's been profitable since April and "every month is better than the last month," CEO John Cahill told CNET News.

Ok, add this to the graphics company I posted earlier... and I can really see losing yourself in virtual reality.

Ok... I am not a gaming person, but if you take the level of detail in the graphics that this company says it can deliver, and combine it with the new LEAP Motion detector I will post next ... wow does this seem to take virtual reality to a new level.

Moving in the other direction of Virtual Reality, this inventor has come up with a machine or 'robot' that actually renders digital designs/artifacts into solid, 3-dimensional objects. Surprisingly the machine is pretty cheap and is sold as a kit that the user has to build on his own before turning a photoshop image of his long lost dog Booger into a 4x4x6 hard plastic idol to wear around neck. I jest, but from a 'learning from the whole' perspective, the entire process could be really engaging and educational.

Jerry Brown, Governor of California, speaks out about the ineptitude of standardized tests as a comprehensive, accurate way of measuring student learning. This idea is germane to most of what we are learning about the virtues of performance-based assessments, constructivist approach to learning, and the future of education. Does anybody think that there will ever be a time when standardized testing is replaced by something more effective? Emerging technologies like augmented reality simulations and multi-user virtual environments could be candidates for the replacement of standardized paper-based tests. Interesting to think about...