contributed by Jennifer Smith
Note: The Google Glass program has been discontinued
The addition of human-like senses to computers (perceptual computing) has been one of the goals of technology during the last five years or so.
Now, communication devices that combine a multitude of factors like touch, voice, facial recognition, and other similar features are gaining ground in production.
The features of perception computing are profound and can penetrate our lives at several levels. Teachers can have profound usage of such devices.
Two technologies that are merging together include advanced computing systems and the increasing conversion of the physical interface to web interface- a digital wireframe that can map your location can be made. This concept is being manifested in smart glasses, such as those recently publicized by Google.
Several esteemed academic institutions picked up the tab on researching how such technology will not only aid in the classroom setting but also in basic online connectivity. One example includes Georgetown University’s Center of Education, which is working on promoting such technology in the classroom to facilitate the feedback loop between the teacher and the student.
The glasses will have many sensors and allow online search compatibility to search for a specific mathematical formula or a critical historical date.
This incredible ability will allow users to always be in touch with the information they need, even on the go.
The Need For Smart Glasses
The need for such systems arises from the fact that the communication between businesses and consumers, lecturers and students is not always optimal. Prototype glasses that rely on augmented reality are being tested for market-scale production. Overlaying physical environments with real-time data and information can exponentially improve engagement in learning.
One working model is being developed at the Carlos III University in Madrid. This is part of the Information Technologies for Planning and Training in Emergencies that’s working at a global scale.
The idea of such projects is to check how augmented reality and other related technologies can address different areas of education and learning. Another advantage of this technology would be that students would be able to interact with teachers in a discrete manner without affecting their confidence or interrupting the flow of teaching.
The idea is that if the teacher can get continuous feedback, the efficiency of the lecture-type classes can be improved. So, this allows the teacher to adjust in real-time and evaluate the students’ understanding.
Important feedback would allow teacher to know when to lower/increase their teaching speed, and they would also be able to skip content that the class already knows. The glasses would also enable instructors to visualize notes/comments they want to mention at specific instances of the lecture. They can be pre-fed into the system.
Integrating such technology in education is being viewed in terms of connectivity and immersion. Such prototypes would also allow the integration of technology into day-to-day interaction at mass scale inside or outside the classroom.
Combined in such a manner, perceptual computing is a step towards humanizing the machine experience.
Or machinating the human experience.