Example snapshots from
Microsoft’s Productivity Future Vision
On 02/26/2015,
in 21st century, A/V -- audio/visual, active learning, adjunct faculty, adult learning, analytics, animation, attention, blended learning, changing business models, collaboration, colleges, communities of practice, community colleges, computer science, copyright/ownership/NFTs, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, data related items, design, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, distance education, e-books, education reform, education technology, elearning, emerging technologies, expectations, experimentation, face-to-face, faculty/staff, future of higher education, game-changing environment, graphics, higher education, human-computer interaction (HCI), hybrid learning, ideas, innovation, instructional design, interaction design, interactivity, interface design, internet, learning, learning ecosystem, learning spaces, more voice more choice more control, multimedia, online learning, online media, programming, staying relevant, strategy, student-related, surviving, teaching & learning, traditional / tradition, trends, universities, user experience (UX), user interface design, using teams, web design and production, writing,
by Daniel Christian
My thanks to Mary Grush at Campus Technology for her continued work in bringing relevant topics and discussions to light — so that our institutions of higher education will continue delivering on their missions well into the future. By doing so, learners will be able to continue to partake of the benefits of attending such institutions. But in order to do so, we must adapt, be responsive, and be willing to experiment. Towards that end, this Q&A with Mary relays some of my thoughts on the need to move more towards a team-based approach.
When you think about it, we need teams whether we’re talking about online learning, hybrid learning or face-to-face learning. In fact, I just came back from an excellent Next Generation Learning Space Conference and it was never so evident to me that you need a team of specialists to design the Next Generation Learning Space and to design/implement pedagogies that take advantage of the new affordances being offered by active learning environments.
On 02/16/2015,
in Augmented Reality (AR), education technology, emerging technologies, future, human-computer interaction (HCI), innovation, interactivity, user experience (UX), user interface design, virtual field trips, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, virtual tutoring,
by Daniel Christian
Designing the Future of Augmented Reality: slides from PechaKucha
Excerpted slides:
Also see:
Excerpt from 40ideas.com
How will Augmented Reality extend human capacity and human imagination? The 40 Ideas That Will Change Reality documents the inventions, concepts, and opportunities that will forever change the way we experience reality. Eight of the 40 Ideas from the upcoming book are highlighted above.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality: what’s the difference? — from augmentedstories.com by Helen Papagiannis
Excerpt:
AR and VR are often confused with each other, and used interchangeably in the media, but they are significantly different. Let’s break it down:
Augmented Reality (AR): real, physical world
Virtual Reality (VR): computer generated environment, artificial world
Reality Has Changed. Microsoft’s HoloLens and what you need to know about the next wave of Augmented Reality — from augmentedstories.com by Helen Papagiannis
Excerpt:
HoloLens appears to use a Virtual Retinal Display (VRD).
So, what’s VRD, you ask?
VRD mirrors how the human eye works. The back of the eye receives light and converts it into signals for your brain. Images are projected directly onto the retina with the back of the eye used as a screen effectively.
The result is a more true-to-life image than the ‘ghostly transparent superimposed representation’ (as Gizmodo reporter Sean Hollister describes) we’ve seen with AR eyewear before. Hollister details his experience of Microsoft’s prototype as “standing in a room filled with objects. Posters covering the walls. And yet somehow—without blocking my vision—the HoloLens was making those objects almost totally invisible.” He states, “Some of the very shiniest things in the room—the silver handle of a pitcher, if I recall correctly—managed to reflect enough light into my eyes to penetrate the illusion.”
Also see:
An addendum on 2/17/15 — with thanks to Mr. Steven Chevalia for this resource which deals with immersive experiences:
On 02/09/2015,
in design, digital photography, digital video, graphics, human-computer interaction (HCI), photography, user experience (UX), user interface design, web design and production,
by Daniel Christian
The Big Web Design Trends for 2015 — from sitepoint.com by Joanna Krenz Kurowska; with thanks to Mr. Tim Pixley for this resource
Excerpt:
When thinking about web design, you must consider the full spectrum of possibilities that the internet presents. Done boldly, designers can push the current limits of human interaction and imagination on a global scale – as is often seen with edgier industries, such as creative agency websites.
In this article, we’ll boil down some of the most prominent web design trends emerging in 2015. It is here that we can find true innovation and new opportunities – a few of which may completely change our understanding of a “modern website”.
8 design trends for 2015 — from istockphoto.com by Rebecca Swift
Web design trends that will rule 2015 — from designmodo.com by Tomas Laurinavicius
Excerpt:
Web design is a vibrant and diverse industry that is changing and evolving quickly. Website design is, however, not an end product; it’s an asset in the presentation of a product, connecting people with other people, providing a tool or service.
After reviewing over 500 websites in weekly series of “Inspiring Sites of the Week” on Despreneur I’ve got a sense of where web design is and where it is going for the next year. In this post I will try to review the current status of web design and predict some trends for 2015.
These are my assumptions and guesses based on my research and experience designing in 2014. Some of these may be right some may be not. If you think there should be something more in this article I’d love to have a discussion with you.
The trends in web design for 2015 [infographic] — from techinfographics.com by by Josipa Štrok
Excerpt:
The way we use the web is changing in line with the growth of technology. Smartphones and tablets have become a major factor which influencing the design of the web. What are the trends in web design for 2015?
If content is king, then the design is the crown. Home page should be more comprehensive. Visitors must get a sense of intuitive and dynamic interaction. Responsive design of website remains still imperative. Every owner who cares for his visitors should have designed a website that includes technology to automatically adjust the content to the devices where they are read. In the future responsive design will adapt to smart TVs and smart watches, not only monitors, smart phones or tablets. Moving page should be vertical because it contributes to an interactive style stories. After all this way scrolling through content is much easier to use on smartphones / tablets than clicking on the navigation from page to page. Forget the shadows, patterns and textures. Style with simple lines and white space is recommended for the coming year.
On 02/02/2015,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, Daniel S. Christian, education technology, elearning, experimentation, face-to-face, higher education, human-computer interaction (HCI), ideas, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, learning hubs & pods & microschooling, learning spaces, more voice more choice more control, online learning, pedagogy, smart classrooms, strategy, teaching & learning, teaching online, user experience (UX), vendors, videoconferencing, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
Is this the online learning model of the future? — from ecampusnews.com by Rony Zarom
Flex class options are seeing spikes in enrollment among Gen C students; here’s how to get started.
Excerpt:
“Flex-classes,” a preferred learning style among Gen Cs that offers “flex-attendance“ options to join classes “in-person” or “online” throughout the duration of a course, allowing students to more efficiently, and affordably, learn anytime, anywhere.
In fact, if the current enrollment growth rate continues, nearly half of all college students will be enrolled in a flexible online learning course by 2020.
Based on a cross-generational commonality to stay digitally connected and plugged into mobile devices, these two generations expect more accessible, technology-forward learning environments that give them the flexibility, mobility and freedom to learn when and where they want.
…
One of the biggest weather deterrents that disrupts student attendance and educators’ lesson plans is snow days, and thanks to virtual flex-class options, snow day disruptions may be coming to an end for good.
Schools around the country have been implementing flex-classes to allow students the option to join classes online on days they can’t make it to school, instead of making up the lost days at another time and often dipping deep into summer vacations. Students can tune in to their classrooms via mobile device or tablet to complete their learning initiatives for the day. The snow day approach is a realistic option for institutions looking to test the effectiveness of flex-class implementation.
From DSC:
This is an interesting approach. What I like about it is that it provides more choice and more control for the student.
What I wonder about is how would this type of learning environment impact the pedagogies that a professor would need to employ…? Or are we not that far along here yet? That is, how does one simultaneously offer a productive online learning experience as well as an effective face-to-face learning experience?
Also, on a slight tangent here from this model…
I’ve been wondering about whether remote students could effectively/simultaneously come into a face-to-face classroom setting — and I think the answer is yes. As with the corporate world, teams are scattered throughout a nation or from various places throughout the globe — and yet work gets done. Projects get done. Collaboration happens. Learning happens.
Some institutions, including the college where I work at, are experimenting with using telepresence robots to bring in those remote students. The version 2.0’s and above of these robots may be an option. However, I’m wondering if a better option might be available if a vendor could morph something like Cisco’s StadiumVision into an educational setting…? That is, provide 3-4 camera angles/perspectives per classroom and let the remote learners switch between viewing angles on their end of things…? Such as setup would be very interesting to experiment with.
Also, in regards to learning spaces, should one wall be dedicated to bringing in remote students? That is, one of the walls could display who all is coming into a classroom remotely so that they could be a part of the discussions and so that the F2F students could see and interact w/ those remote students.
Finally, might these ideas dovetail into the idea of providing learning hubs — where Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) could be synchronously or asynchronously presenting information (in a digital/virtual manner) and leading a discussion for those who are seated and learning together in a physical setting?
On 01/19/2015,
in 21st century, career development, change, changing business models, computer science, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, elearning, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, leadership, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, learning hubs & pods & microschooling, lifelong learning, new business models, online learning, online media, professional development, programming, strategy, trends, user experience (UX), workplace,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
It seems like there’s been an increase in the number of “boot camps” that I’m seeing — below are some examples:
.
New MOOC Platform Provides Free IT Certification Courses — from campustechnology.com by Rhea Kelly
People offering their own bootcamps / building their own brands; such as this Two Week Web Development Bootcamp for Beginners by Adam Stanford.
Some other approaches that are occurring:
Simon & Schuster to sell online courses taught by popular authors — from nytimes.com by Alexandra Alter; with thanks to Sidneyeve Matrix for her Tweet on this
Excerpt:
Simon & Schuster is making a push into paid online video, with a new website offering online courses from popular health, finance and self-help authors.
The cost of the first batch of online courses ranges from $25 to $85, and includes workbooks and access to live question-and-answer sessions with three authors: Dr. David B. Agus, the best-selling author of “The End of Illness”; Zhena Muzyka, who wrote the self-help book “Life by the Cup”; and Tosha Silver, the author of the spiritual advice book “Outrageous Openness.” The courses will be available on the authors’ individual websites and on the company’s new site, SimonSays.
.
But there is a new wave of online competency-based learning providers that has absolutely nothing to do with offering free, massive, or open courses. In fact, they’re not even building courses per se, but creating a whole new architecture of learning that has serious implications for businesses and organizations around the world.
It’s called online competency-based education, and it’s going to revolutionize the workforce.
…
The key distinction is the modularization of learning.
…
Here’s why business leaders should care: the resulting stackable credential reveals identifiable skillsets and dispositions that mean something to an employer. As opposed to the black box of the diploma, competencies lead to a more transparent system that highlights student-learning outcomes.
From DSC:
Though several of the items above have a slant towards IT/coding/programming, other disciplines may be impacted by these types of trends as well.
These developments are meant for consideration for those of us working within higher education. What do they mean for us? Should they inform more of our strategies? Our visions? Our responses?
Addendums on 2/17/15:
- Should your institution consider a nanodegree program? — from by Rebecca Lundberg
Students seeking to build technical skills and credentials are enrolling in nanodegree programs.
Addendum on 3/27/15:
- Anyone Can Be a Teacher at Skillshare, an Online School — from nytimes.com by Jonah Bromwich
Excerpt:
Skillshare is an online video platform that allows anyone to sign up and teach a class. The company has proved adept at recruiting experts to teach on its website. Aside from Ms. Orlean’s class on creative nonfiction, the website has a class on visual storytelling from the design maven Debbie Millman and a marketing course taught by the entrepreneur Seth Godin. At one point, it even offered screenwriting instruction from James Franco.
Addendum on 4/1/15 — with thanks to Mr. Cal Keen at Calvin College
Addendum on 4/7/15:
- Udemy alternatives for selling video courses online — from robcubbon.com
Udemy is currently the leading online learning platform. Their top 10 instructors all made over $500,000 last year and the top earner makes over $8 million. I make $4000+ each month by selling courses on Udemy.
Addendum on 5/1/15:
Addendum on 5/18/15:
- 16 Startups Poised to Disrupt the Education Market — from inc.com by Ilan Mochari
Colleges and universities are facing new competition for customers–students and their parents–from startups delivering similar goods (knowledge, credentials, prestige) more affordably and efficiently. Here’s a rundown of some of those startups.
On 01/12/2015,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, Apple, corporate universities / corporate training, Daniel S. Christian, digital learning, education technology, emerging technologies, game-changing environment, higher education, human-computer interaction (HCI), ideas, innovation, instructional design, interactivity, K-12 related, learning ecosystem, learning spaces, lifelong learning, machine-to-machine communications, mobile learning, Near Field Communication (NFC), smart classrooms, technology (general), UK, user experience (UX), vendors, wearables,
by Daniel Christian
On 01/07/2015,
in 21st century, Apple, art, Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, blended learning, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, corporate / business world, corporate universities / corporate training, Daniel S. Christian, education technology, human-computer interaction (HCI), hybrid learning, innovation, instructional design, intelligent systems, interaction design, interactivity, interface design, IT in HE, K-12 related, learning ecosystem, learning spaces, machine-to-machine communications, mobile learning, mobile technologies, Near Field Communication (NFC), personalized/customized learning, productivity / tips and tricks, programming, smart classrooms, tablets, training / L&D, trends, usability, user experience (UX), user interface design, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
We continue to see more articles and innovations that involve the Internet of Things (IoT) or the Internet of Everything (IoE). This trend has made me reflect upon what I think will be a future, required subset of needed expertise within the fields of Instructional Design, User Experience Design, User Interface Design, Product Development, Programming, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), and likely other fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality(VR) as well.
And that is, we will need people who can craft learning experiences from the presence of beacons/sensors and that integrate such concepts as found in “If This Then That” (ifttt.com) whereby one is putting the Internet and cloud/mobile-based applications to work for you. Certainly, those involved in retail are already busy working on these types of projects. But those of us involved with learning, human computer interaction (HCI), and interface design need to get involved as well.
For example, this potential scenario of a K-12 field trip might be fodder for such a learning experience.
So for those individuals who are involved with the aforementioned disciplines…we need to pulse check what new affordances are coming from the rollout and further development of the IoT/IoE.
On 01/07/2015,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, Daniel S. Christian, education, education technology, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, human-computer interaction (HCI), ideas, innovation, K-12 related, learning ecosystem, lifelong learning, machine-to-machine communications, mobile learning, mobile technologies, Near Field Communication (NFC), real-world assignments, second screen apps, user experience (UX),
by Daniel Christian
A potential scenario
A teacher takes a group of students on a field trip to their city’s recycling center.
The city has installed sensors/beacons next to their bins. They’ve also made Wi-Fi available (but only during normal hours of operation).
Upon arriving, the city’s beacons sense that mobile devices are in its proximity — including one that’s been pre-registered as a K-12 teacher — and thus take the following steps:
- A request for permission to display content is received by each mobile device
- If approved, a video of the city’s mayor is sent to each of the students’ mobile devices, explaining what the city is trying to achieve with their recycling operations
- This video is followed up with a graphic that relays how many tons of recycling are processed each week/month/year — as well as other relevant information
- After that, a brief quiz hits the students’ devices, asking them a series of questions about what was hopefully learned from the trip
- Upon submission of the quiz, the National Audubon Society has arranged with the city to transmit gift certificates worth $5.00 to each device — with an option to accept the certificate or not — and sends an interesting item to the devices from one of their sites
Meanwhile, upon returning to school:
- Another quiz is sent to each student’s device, using the concept of spaced practice/repetition to again assess whether the learning objectives were reached re: that days’ field trip
- Once the student clicks on the submit button for the quiz:
- their score is registered in the system and an answer key appears
- simultaneously, a notification is sent to the child’s parent/guardian that says that Billy has completed the field trip to XYZ recycling center, and encouraging the parent/guardian to ask Billy some open ended questions (in fact, 2-3 are provided to help with the conversation later on). That email could also let the parents know when the center is open and if they have any special programs going on (like Christmas tree disposal and recycling for Christmas tree lights)
On 12/10/2014,
in 21st century, A/V -- audio/visual, human-computer interaction (HCI), internet, technology (general), usability, user experience (UX), user interface design, wearables,
by Daniel Christian
How do we create an advanced experience ecosystem? — from uxmag.com by Dallas Sargent
Excerpt:
“The Internet of Things is interesting because it forces us to rethink the interaction paradigms we have with objects—that is, something is different about our engagement with a smart object versus a ‘dumb’ one,” writes Thomas Wendt in his recent UX Magazine article, “Internet of Things and the Work of the Hands.”
Whatever you choose to call the grayish area sitting at the intersection of wearable technology, customizable sensors, and enhanced connectivity, it seems likely that this is where the next major breakthroughs in experience design will take place. Cisco estimates that by 2020, there will be 50 billion things connected to the Internet, so whether we settle on the “Internet of Things,” “The Internet of Everything,” or an “Experience Ecosystem,” the space is primed for explosive growth.
As Wendt notes, there is something different about interacting with smart objects and, “It’s our job to understand what that something is.” That something has been illusive in recent years, with users adopting to wearable tech slowly and a noticeable lack of sophisticated communication between objects. After all, an object sharing information with your smartphone or tablet only constitutes a relationship, it takes many more overlapping relationships to create an ecosystem.
Also see:
Apple pioneer Bill Fernandez on Google Glass, Oculus Rift and the look of the future — from cnet.com by Jason Hiner
In his time at Apple, Bill Fernandez helped develop technologies that have shaped modern computing. He also has a keen perspective on what’s next.
Excerpt:
“The true user interface is the gestalt of many things: industrial design, ergonomics, internal hardware, performance, error handling, visual design, interaction, latency, reliability, predictability, and more. For this reason I’m glad to see my profession moving from the concept of user “interface” (where the user interacts with the screen) to user ‘experience’ (where more the above factors are considered),” said Fernandez.
“I can design the best user interface in the world on paper, but if it’s not implemented well by the hardware and software engineers (e.g. the product is slow or buggy) then the product will fail. If you do a really good job of designing a product then everyone who sees it thinks it’s so obvious that they could have done it themselves.”
…
“So there will be a seamless, multimodal UI experience using sight, sound, voice, head motion, arm movement, gestures, typing on virtual keyboards, etc. There have been pieces of this in research for decades. Only now are we beginning to see some of these things emerge into the consumer market: with Google Glass, Siri, etc. We have further to go, but we’re on the road.”
From DSC:
I’m intrigued with the overlay (or should I say integration?) of services/concepts similar to IFTTT over the infrastructure of machine-to-machine communications and sensors such as iBeacons. I think we’re moving into entirely new end user experiences and affordances enabled by these technologies. I’m looking for opportunities that might benefit students, teachers, faculty members, and trainers.
On 12/03/2014,
in Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, computer science, human-computer interaction (HCI), ideas, intelligent systems, intelligent tutoring, journalism, learning agents, learning ecosystem, lifelong learning, programming, tools, user experience (UX), user interface design, vendors, virtual tutoring,
by Daniel Christian
Excerpt from Context: Your Work Enriched by the Smartest Minds — from blog.evernote.com
Good research happens in three phases. You recall what you know. You consult with someone. You search external sources. We’re applying our machine learning and augmented intelligence expertise to present you with all three research phases automatically, at the moment you need them, without ever leaving your workspace. As you work, Evernote is automatically looking for other information and content that might help you connect the dots/see the big picture. This content can take the form of other notes, people you might talk to or even relevant news sources.
In Evernote, every phrase informs our algorithms about what other content might help you further your project. We call this Context. It’s an extremely powerful new Premium feature coming soon to Evernote.
…
Your knowledge
Your team’s knowledge
Your network
The professionals: Possibly the most powerful new benefit that Context brings is a look at related information from premier news and information sources, including…
- The Wall Street Journal
- Factiva
- TechCrunch
- CrunchBase
- Fast Company
- Inc. Magazine
- PandoDaily
Also see:
- Evernote’s CEO: Siri and wearables are doing it wrong — from engadget.com by Devindra Hardawar; with thanks to Mr. Emory Craig for posting this on Twitter
Excerpt:
You can see this methodology in place with Context, the new Evernote feature that fetches articles related to your work. Links automatically appear at the bottom of your notes as you’re typing, alongside your past notes and those from your coworkers.
…
When you talk about anticipatory computing, it’s only a matter of time until the broader notion of augmented intelligence comes up.
…
There are already glimpses of it in Google Now, which is more of an anticipatory notification platform than a friendly assistant like Siri.
On 11/25/2014,
in 3D, education technology, Europe, faith, geography / geology, history, user experience (UX),
by Daniel Christian
Rome 320 AD – Interactive App — from indianajen.com by Jennifer Carey
Excerpt:
The app follows the lives of four Romans as they travel through the city on a summer day in 320 CE. You can explore 3D, interactive models of the city in high resolution and detail.
Also see:
- Rome320AD — by Noho Ltd.
- Professor Bernard Frischer
On 11/25/2014,
in 21st century, A/V -- audio/visual, collaboration, future, game-changing environment, higher education, human-computer interaction (HCI), ideas, innovation, multimedia, online learning, participation, platforms, play, reinvent, social learning / networks, strategy, telepresence, TVs, user experience (UX), using teams, vendors, videoconferencing, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
Here’s a peek at the Minerva Project’s classroom of the future — from washingtonpost.com by Matt McFarland
Check out five ideas that could impact the way we live, work and play.
Excerpt:
“Think of the fanciest version of Google Hangouts or Skype designed to be a classroom,” explains a student. “It’s very different than a traditional classroom, but in a way it’s what a traditional classroom distilled down to its purest form I feel like would look like,” says another.
Also see:
On 11/17/2014,
in collaboration, Daniel S. Christian, digital learning, heutagogy, higher education, history, ideas, innovation, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, lifelong learning, mobile learning, more voice more choice more control, new business models, online learning, online media, United States, universities, user experience (UX), using teams,
by Daniel Christian
History Channel bringing online courses to higher ed –from edtechmagazine.com by D. Frank Smith
Excerpt (emphasis DSC):
Television and higher education are being married through a new partnership between A&E Network’s History Channel and the University of Oklahoma.
The network has announced a 16-week, paid, online course focusing on U.S. history from 1865 to the present. The accredited course will involve video lectures produced by History Channel staff, quizzes, discussion groups and social interactions. The series is priced at $500 for college students, and $250 for lifelong learners.
Also from their press release (emphasis DSC):
History® Digital partners with the University of Oklahoma to offer the first TV network-branded online course for college credit — from historychannel.ou.edu
New York, NY (October 28, 2014) – A+E Network®’s HISTORY® Channel will partner with the University of Oklahoma to offer the very first TV Network-branded online course for transcripted college credit or for the lifelong learner. HISTORY® Channel’s United States, 1865 to the Present course enrollment will launch on October 28 at History.com/courses and will be taught by award winning teacher, OU professor, and renowned historian Steve Gillon. The announcement was made today by Dan Suratt, EVP, Digital Media, A+E Networks and University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren.
…
The groundbreaking 16-week interactive, immersive course, which will be offered during the Spring Semester, officially begins on January 12, 2015. Utilizing the strengths of both HISTORY® Channel and OU, “United States, 1865 to the Present” has been rigorously designed by an academic team from OU and will be taught by Professor Steve Gillon, the scholar-in-residence at HISTORY®Channel and professor at OU. Combining professionally-produced and engaging video lectures with quizzes, discussion groups and social interactions between student and professor, as well as selectively integrated multimedia assets from HISTORY® Channel, this course has been created to offer a singular and collaborative learning experience to a wide range of students.
From DSC:
Interesting partnership/collaboration effort here…again, this endeavor gets at the idea of using teams of specialists to create and deliver content. Also interesting here are the lower pricing structures and the idea of addressing lifelong learners.
![The Living [Class] Room -- by Daniel Christian -- July 2012 -- a second device used in conjunction with a Smart/Connected TV](http://danielschristian.com/learning-ecosystems/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/The-Living-Class-Room-Daniel-S-Christian-July-2012.jpg)
On 11/14/2014,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, Apple, Canada, corporate / business world, corporate universities / corporate training, Daniel S. Christian, education technology, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, game-changing environment, higher education, human-computer interaction (HCI), ideas, immersion, innovation, interactivity, machine-to-machine communications, Near Field Communication (NFC), training / L&D, trends, ubiquitous learning, user experience (UX),
by Daniel Christian
Also, from the press release (emphasis DSC):
- Signul, the World’s First Complete Consumer iBeacon Solution, Unveils IFTTT Integration
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – Oct. 28, 2014) – IoT Design Shop, the Internet of Things innovation centre at Finger Food Studios, today announced that it is actively developing an IFTTT Channel for Signul, the world’s first personal consumer iBeacon solution. IFTTT is an online service that allows users to create tasks that combine different Internet-based services from one platform.
Signul is a complete package of hardware and an easy-to-use App. By integrating with IFTTT, Signul users will be able to easily initiate automation in other IFTTT Channels. For example, Signul will turn on your lights as you pull into your garage or turn on your home’s air conditioner or heater when you leave work.
“Our goal is to help people simplify and automate their digital lives and integrating with IFTTT dramatically expands the potential of Signul. Based on the simple premise of ‘IF This Then That’, IFTTT is quickly becoming the leading web-based automation service. And with our own Channel, users can easily use Signul to connect with some of the most popular Internet of Things devices in the marketplace,” said Trent Shumay, CTO of Finger Food Studios.
From DSC:
This is the same concept that I was trying to get at my “What if we were to combine “If This Then That” with iBeacons/sensors?” blog posting. This concept has enormous potential for learning at all levels — K-12, higher ed, and in the corporate/business world. It gets at the intersection/blending of the physical world with the digital world. Where you are and what you are near will allow you to automatically bring up relevant resources.
One can see this concept being played out in things like campus tours, in setting up and running chemistry or physics experiments, in touring art galleries, and more. And if it’s implemented with a level of intrigue and digital storytelling baked into it, this could be a very powerful way to engage our students (as well as employees)! In fact, such a concept has implications for ubiquitous, lifelong learning.
