This article discusses the advances made by scientists towards creating live 3-D video capabilities for the internet. It explains that, if successful, the videos would resemble holograms. While the images would not actually be projected into the air, they would appear that way to someone looking at the screen. While this technology is still a work in progress, as the team working on it needs to gain more speed and more camera angles in order to create true 3-D video, it is well on its way to becoming a reality.
The article says that these videos would be used primarily in classrooms and laboratories, but also notes the implications they could have for advertisements, car and airplane design, and military training. I think that, if made readily available, this technology could have a huge impact in the classroom, specifically for science lessons. While it is currently possible to do virtual dissections online, there is much debate as to whether or not they are as valuable as real-life dissections. With this 3-D video technology, students could actually watch live dissections and get the full effect as if it were right in front of them. Similarly, advanced students could watch more involved procedures that they would not otherwise be able to witness, such as cadaver dissections and autopsies. This technology could also be useful for virtual field trips and conferences with experts and other students.
2 comments:
After reading about this article, I can't help but think how sometimes we get too caught up in technology. Now, don't get me wrong; I am all for new technology like interactive whiteboards or the new iPad, for example, but 3-D video seems quite extreme for the classroom setting. This new technology seems like it would be far too expensive to implement. I think that any money put towards this could be better suited to helping with basic expenses of school districts (isn't education in Illinois already lacking proper funding for simple things like enough computers and books for all students?)
So, while this new technology would be "cool," I don't think it really has any place in the classroom until we can fund equal educations for all students.
I agree with both Mary and Liz. This technology seems awesome and it could completely change learning and education as we know it. I can't even imagine how cool it would be to learn about different scientific ideas with a 3-D video.
On the other hand, our schools have much greater things to direct their money to these days. For example, teachers. So many districts are cutting programs and teachers that I think it would be impractical and irresponsible to implement 3-D video technology.
Therefore, I seriously think that our schools need to get their priorities straight when it comes to technology. I strongly feel as though quality teachers and programs are far more important than new flashy "high-tech" school buildings.
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