Emerging/Engaging Tech

AI, VR, AR, Quantum

Emerging technologies are changing the way we teach, learn and engage.

First: A word about presentation format. For the past dozen years, we have been "power-point-less" at the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service. Rather than using a static, aging format, we prefer to create Web pages for our presentations to assure that they are easily accessible, updatable, and always available. Please follow along on your own device and delve more deeply into the links if you are interested.

~~~~~

AI, ARG, AR, VR, MR, XR, Quantum Qubit

_______________________________________

Now, some definitions:

AI = Artificial Intelligence

ARG = Alternative Reality Game -or- Augmented Reality Game

AR = Augmented Reality

VR = Virtual Reality

MR = Mixed Reality

XR = Extended Reality

Qubit = Quantum bit; three or four states 1 or 0; 1 and 0; plus phasing and other properties

https://www.td.org/insights/arg-and-arg-ar-and-vr-mr-and-xr-what-are-they-and-why-should-you-care

Amazing Uses for VR and AR in College Classrooms

Immersive technologies can help students understand theoretical concepts more easily, prepare them for careers through simulated experiences and keep them engaged in learning.... If you haven't already acquired your own headset or applied for a grant from your institution to test out AR or VR for instruction, it's time. We've done a scan of some of the most interesting projects currently taking place in American classrooms to help you imagine the virtual possibilities.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2019/05/15/9-amazing-uses-for-vr-and-ar-in-college-classrooms.aspx

~~

Three Reasons Higher Education Has Embraced Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality has always been of interest to higher education. But no longer are they just watching from the sidelines to learn about the technology. University faculty and students are actively building, deploying, and promoting their VR work like never before.

https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/three-reasons-higher-education-has-embraced-virtual-reality

~~

The Future of Education is in 3d

5G is innovating education—creating experiences that go beyond the classroom through VR and AR technology. “What we know through research is that experiential learning is, in general, better than learning through a book or a video,” says Mike Harper, Executive Vice President and CMO of zSpace, an augmented reality platform that's becoming steadily more available in school districts around the US and abroad. “We learn through experiments the fastest and the best, which is why we use technologies to deploy augmented reality, in order to make that happen. While some systems use apps to download content for use offline, many VR and AR systems require high-speed internet capabilities for a seamless streaming experience.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-future-of-education-is-in-3d

~~

Upcoming trends in Virtual Reality Market

The technology can be used for providing training, monitoring patients, and practicing surgeries. As per research studies, virtual reality is expected to be the future of online learning. For instance, an education technology start-up called 3rdFlix raised around US$ 5 million from Exfinity Ventures to create a live learning experience.... US giants such as Facebook, Google, and Apple continue to focus on research and development (R&D) activities for software and hardware to further stimulate the virtual reality market share.

https://fresnobserver.com/upcoming-trends-in-virtual-reality-market/1044/



A Primer Compendium of Resources on Augmented and Virtual Reality: [GREAT RESOURCE!]

https://howdo.com/growth-primers/augmented-virtual-reality-primer/

~~

Additional Readings

VR

https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2019/08/early-adopters-pioneer-virtual-reality-use-higher-education

https://www.studyinternational.com/news/innovative-teaching-approaches-virtual-reality-university-classroom/

https://er.educause.edu/blogs/sponsored/2018/5/virtual-reality-in-higher-education

https://hitinfrastructure.com/news/tufts-study-shows-effectiveness-of-virtual-reality-for-ipe-training

https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/three-reasons-higher-education-has-embraced-virtual-reality

https://www.ecampusnews.com/2019/07/26/4-applications-for-vr-in-higher-education/

~~

AR

https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/05/solving-these-5-issues-will-make-education-ar-vr-go-mainstream/

http://modares.ac.ir/uploads/Edu.Plexprvmng.News.970417.2.pdf

https://digitallearning.northwestern.edu/article/2018/12/06/intersection-augmented-and-virtual-reality-reaches-higher-ed

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Integrating-Augmented-Reality-in-Higher-Education%3A-Delello-McWhorter/198869cc5fb91a3a5cf9981d1f1dd685b418d615

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050915031233

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2019/05/15/9-amazing-uses-for-vr-and-ar-in-college-classrooms.aspx

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-01-22-five-ways-teachers-can-use-and-create-augmented-reality-experiences

~~

DIY Tools

https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/how-to-create-a-vr-app-for-education

https://thegadgetflow.com/blog/8-vr-cameras-to-perfectly-capture-the-world-around-you/amp/

https://aws.amazon.com/sumerian/

==

  • How are you using VR / AR in on-campus or online classes?
  • What prescribes the use of these technologies?
  • What challenges and opportunities do you see in the near term (3-5 years)?

A.I. 101: What is artificial intelligence and where is it going?

Computer scientist John McCarthy coined the phrase “artificial intelligence” in 1956, later describing it as the “science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs.” In the decades since, AI has continually reached new milestones.

  • Algorithms are mathematical formulas that amount to a set of processing instructions — akin to a recipe — that aim to solve a specific problem.
  • It’s an analytics system called machine learning that finds patterns in a large amount of data
  • Machine learning comes in three forms: supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning.
  • Deep Learning depends on numerous layers of algorithms to sift through and process large amounts of data, deep learning utilizes a web of computation models called “neural networks” that are designed to mimic human brains.
  • Natural Language Processing - NLP - is technology that uses machine-learning algorithms that tag parts of speech and the relationships between words to analyze the meaning in text and audio.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/ai-101-what-is-artificial-intelligence-and-where-is-it-going/

Quantum Computing in Higher Ed

Quantum computing is not an incremental step in the advancement of computing. It is - pardon the phrase - a quantum leap!

According to the Financial Times report, the paper said that Google’s quantum processor was able to perform a calculation in three minutes and 20 seconds that would take today’s most advanced supercomputer, known as Summit, around 10,000 years.

https://www.technologyreview.com/f/614416/google-researchers-have-reportedly-achieved-quantum-supremacy/

Quantum Computing Roundup - HPC

Advances are taking place in the blink of an eye. Universities are assisting in the development and refinement of ever-larger quantum computers. Applications in education - as will almost every field - are astounding. Unimaginably large datasets and nearly unfathomably complex algorithms combined with superposition and entanglement features to make these computers the key component in changing civilization and life as we know it.

https://www.hpcwire.com/2019/09/05/quantum-roundup-ibm-goes-to-school-delft-tackles-networking-rigetti-updates/

Quantum Entanglement - China Shatters "Spooky Action at a Distance"

In a landmark study, a team of Chinese scientists using an experimental satellite has tested quantum entanglement over unprecedented distances, beaming entangled pairs of photons to three ground stations across China—each separated by more than 1,200 kilometers. The test verifies a mysterious and long-held tenet of quantum theory, and firmly establishes China as the front-runner in a burgeoning “quantum space race” to create a secure, quantum-based global communications network—that is, a potentially unhackable “quantum internet” that would be of immense geopolitical importance. The findings were published Thursday in Science.


https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-shatters-ldquo-spooky-action-at-a-distance-rdquo-record-preps-for-quantum-internet/

~~

Quantum Leap Into the Future of Education

First, we must keep abreast of the developments. Take the opportunity to follow the progress of the IBM Q System One and any other public cloud-based prototypes that emerge in the coming months. Second, we should begin to identify and list those learning challenges that our in-house computers cannot adequately address. For example, big data applications and analysis of individualized student learning needs and support will be an important aspect of quantum computing. Finally, we might begin to visualize adaptive learning models in which the power and speed of quantum computing may best serve the individualized needs of our students. An awesome quantum future awaits us!

https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/blogs/online-trending-now/quantum-leap-future-education

~~

Additional Readings

https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/blogs/online-trending-now/quantum-computing-poised-change-everything

https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/blogs/online-trending-now/quantum-leap-future-education

https://edscoop.com/how-nc-state-is-planning-for-the-future-of-quantum-computing/

https://newsroom.ibm.com/2019-04-25-Leading-universities-partner-with-IBM-to-accelerate-joint-research-and-drive-educational-opportunities-in-quantum-computing

https://singularityhub.com/2019/02/26/quantum-computing-now-and-in-the-not-too-distant-future/

https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/next-decade-quantum-computing-how-play.aspx

=

  • How do you anticipate using quantum-driven applications in on-campus or online classes?
  • What prescribes the use of these technologies?
  • How might quantum entanglement be used in education?
  • What challenges and opportunities do you see in the near term (3-5 years)?


Did you "get" the shoe/hotdog and "my mom is from Kenya" references in the first 40 seconds! If so, congratulations, you pass the Quantum Test!!!

How can you keep up with the daily developments and trends?

Ray's Daily Curated Reading Lists and Social Media. Blogs with daily updates on the field of online / continuing learning in higher education


Ray Schroeder

Contact Ray

rschr1@uis.edu ~ rayschroeder@gmail.com

@rayschroeder

Associate Vice Chancellor for Online, Professor Emeritus

University of Illinois Springfield

Senior Fellow, University and Professional Continuing Education Assn.

https://rayschroeder.com

217-206-7531