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We are creating a new kind of reality, one in which physical and digital environments, media, and interactions are woven together throughout our daily lives. In this world, the virtual and the physical are seamlessly integrated. Cyberspace is not a destination; rather, it is a layer tightly integrated into the world around us. Technology enables this transformation but, as is always the case, when we invent new technologies, they in turn re-invent us. In the realm of blended reality, the technologies and tools that we are creating change a fundamental part of our existence: the lenses through which we view and interact with the world. We are literally beginning to see and feel the world through a new set of eyes and ears—things that were previously invisible become visible, and we see the familiar in a new way. Almost ten years ago, we wrote about the sensory transformation we’re about to undergo as technologies move off the desktop and into the physical environment. We also pointed out that sensory transformations inevitably lead to major social and cultural transformations because they shape the nature of what we experience and how we make sense of our surroundings [Cybernomads SR-829]. Blended reality is the manifestation of these changes. It is a type of sensory transformation that will change people’s lives, their senses of selves and others, and their views of the world around them. In this report we analyze key directions of this metamorphosis.

Blog 100 Most Educational iPhone Apps August 31st, 2009 You probably carry your iPhone with you everywhere, so why not make it an integral part of your education? These apps are all educational in nature and will have you learning about math, science, geography, history, English, and foreign languages; help strengthen your skills with brain exercises and quizzes; provide reference material; and offer opportunities to boost your productivity so you can devote more time to your studies. Check out these apps to see which ones you need for your iPhone–and your education.

Features of game-based learning (GBL): GBL uses competitive exercises, either pitting the students against each other or getting them to challenge themselves in order to motivate them to learn better. Games often have a fantasy element that engages players in a learning activity through a storyline. In order to create a truly educational game, the instructor needs to make sure that learning the material is essential to scoring and winning.Learn more here. Categories of games that can be adapted for learning include: Video Games (Digital Game-Based Learning) Board and Card Games: with descriptions of geoscience games

To integrate learning and game play: Work out how to give students points for accomplishing certain goals in a lesson plan Decide on rewards for the victors Create game pieces Test your game before you run it

Augmented reality is changing the way we view the world -- or at least the way its users see the world. Picture yourself walking or driving down the street. With augmented-reality displays, which will eventually look much like a normal pair of glasses, informative graphics will appear in your field of view, and audio will coincide with whatever you see. These enhancements will be refreshed continually to reflect the movements of your head. Similar devices and applications already exist, particularly on smartphones like the iPhone.

Now, researchers and engineers are pulling graphics out of your television screen or computer display and integrating them into real-world environments. This new technology, called augmented reality, blurs the line between what's real and what's computer-generated by enhancing what we see, hear, feel and smell.

Augmented reality is changing the way we view the world -- or at least the way its users see the world. Picture yourself walking or driving down the street. With augmented-reality displays, which will eventually look much like a normal pair of glasses, informative graphics will appear in your field of view, and audio will coincide with whatever you see. These enhancements will be refreshed continually to reflect the movements of your head. Similar devices and applications already exist, particularly on smartphones like the iPhone.

Learning analytics are an important lens through which to view and plan for change at individual learning paths and educational institutions’ courses. Furthermore, in corporate settings, learning analytics can play a role in highlighting the development of employees through their learning. Information flow and social interactions can yield novel insights into organizational effectiveness and capacity to address new challenges or adapt rapidly when unanticipated events arise.

Learning analytics is the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs.

When integrated, learning and knowledge analytics form the foundation for adaptive and personal learning by providing learners with relevant learning choices to address gaps between existing knowledge and knowledge needed within a field or domain. Through the use of analytics, organizations also stand to gain new insights into how the work of individuals contributes to organizational capacity for change and innovation.