3D Mobile Phones
Perhaps the single biggest game changer for use of 3D technologies is the emergence of 3D phones which are now freely available in the market. These are not only useful in displaying content in 3D but also creating content both stills & Video in 3D which opens up whole range of possibilities for the learners & tutors.
3D gaming & Social Networks
With a new generation which is very adapt to the 3D world due to a range of games and internet worlds, it was only a matter of time before they would dvelge in a social networking activities using these 3D enviroments. The gaming world has grasped this concept better than others and we are already seeing a growing number of users imersing themselves in these facinating 3D worlds of games, role plays and social networking. The biggest of them all is World of Warcraft with an estimated user base of 11.1 millions as of June 2011.
These 3D games and social networks are already being used is some cases to teach basic Economic principles by using social games like "Age of Empires" or teaching basic farming knowledge through highly popular games like "FarmVille".
3D in Education Webinar
Convert your Internet to 3D
ExitReality is a new technology that has made the entire Internet 3D. By creating an instant 3D world from any web page, ExitReality adds a new dimension to the Internet. And this new universe of inter-connected worlds expands even beyond 2D to include thousands of innovative 3D places and games created over the past decade, and now ready to be explored.
Click on image above to view the video presentation
3D Printing
3D printing has been in the news recently both for creating tasteful deserts to its usefulness in medical science to transforming manufaturing. Here are some of the stories of how 3D printing is revolutionising our world.
- Manufacturing with a mouse click instead of hammers and nails
- Printing new skin & Ears
- Printing artificial Blood Vessels
- Printed future of Christmas Dinner
- 3D Choclate Yummmmmmmmy
- 3D transplanted Jaw
- Expressing your creativity the 3D way (Picture Special)
- Will 3D revolutionarise Manufacturing ?
- Using 3D to make parts & components (Picture Special)
Virtual Educational Worlds
You can use these 3D Virtual worlds to develop compelling, cost-effective virtual education solutions to amplify an existing curriculum or create new models for engaged, collaborative learning.
Have a look at few of the case studies below.
Educational use of VW's
Is the Future 3D ?
3D technology has been around since the American civil war but recently some developments have made it possible for a commoner to not only afford but also play with these technologies which has brought there use in whole range of sectors in prominence.
From 3D mobile phones to 3D printing to 3D augmented reality you can immerse yourself in 3D and if that doesn’t satisfy your quest for 3D than you can even hang out in 3D Virtual worlds; the possibilities and tools on offer are mind boggling but even when these tools and technologies are changing the world around us, we are oblivious to their impact.
This is a fascinating new world, which promises to change our lives in ways we have never imagined before. From revolutionising the manufacturing & construction industry to making social contact possible with people in different globes & countries in a way that we can hug and shake hands to making smart consumer choice next time we buy a new watch to the simple concept of actually capturing the world around us in 3D images and 3D video which brings more realism in those old timeless memorises.
We are already seeing more and more architects showcasing you your future home by letting you walk through a 3D model but 3D technology has the potential of actually constructing your real home as easy as printing a piece of paper as well. My interactive blog page on “is the future 3D” showcase some of the ways 3D technologies are changing the world around us.
And than it is the educational use; imagine instead of being told of the old Roman and Babylonian history, we could actually walk through streets of those times, view the architecture, the atmosphere of the time.
Imagine teaching astronomy where pupils can actually walk through space or walking in the International Space shuttle. How rich would be the understanding of our learner if we can do all that. All this talk might look like wishful thinking but actually this is something, which is already being done.
For more information on this please visit my Portfolio page on “Is the Future 3D”.
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Is the Future of education 3D ? by Syed Munib Hadi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported license.
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3D Augmented Reality
Markers are used in conjunction with a webcam to trigger ARsoftware. The markers have developed from square blocks like this .......
....... to graphic representations like this
....... or even brand logos like this .......
In all cases you download and print the marker, download some software to drive the application and then connect a webcam. Show the marker to the webcam, and, provided you keep the marker in the frame of the webcam, you will see the onscreen image change to a controllable 3D AR object. These are used to showcase 3D objects like 3D construction models to 3D clothes and accessories to allow you to make smarter choices as a consumer.
Below is a link to a short demo of the Tissot Watch application which allows you to actually try a watch on your wrist using 3D before you actually make a decision to purchase it.
If you want to find more information on how Augmented Reality applications are used in educational sector please feel to browse JISC RSC South East moodle course on AUgmented Reality.
Click on the above image to access the Augmented Reality Course
3D Books & Augmented Prospectus
More and more learning providers and book makers are coming with ideas on utilising 3d animations with their books and also augmented content. Below is a video of an augmented reality 3D animated book on astronomy and also a video of the Augmented Info used by University College Suffolk in their new prospectus.