Sunday, August 14, 2016
Virtual Reality Teaching: Harvard launches public 3D Lecture
Virtual reality finds its way into e-learning. The elite university Harvard is now the VR teaching. And also in Berlin, there is education in 3D.
the digital representation of a virtual world in 3D matures increasingly zoom than technology. The fundamental base technology was indeed developed many years ago. Nevertheless, one came out a long time not much more than prototypes and future visions.
So why right now the hype about virtual reality?
In order to enable an accurate human perception view, a sufficient performance of the graphics hardware. These so-called. Rendering speed has reached a high level in recent times. Thus 3D environments can finally be displayed without providing the user with delays and stuttering of images for discontent. At the same time better 3D glasses are always available.
Virtual reality is also now in the educational environment
After various specialized industrial applications VR technology therefore comes now also in the consumer sector with great interest (for example, in computer-gaming). And now is increasingly experimenting with virtual reality applications in the education and teaching field.
The modern learning experience is therefore likely to be strongly influenced in the years of virtual reality.
Harvard's largest lecture digitally in 3D
The most popular among students of Harvard University lecture is an introductory course in computer science (Computer Science 50 and "CS50"). About 800 students enroll in a semester in this course a. And that appears even more minuscule compared to the interest in the online version: the global number of participants at CS50 as a free MOOC (that "massive open online course") has already exceeded the one million mark.
In the winter semester 2016/17 CS50 is now available in the Virtual Reality version. Students are enabling with appropriate hardware 3D attend the lecture. Specifically, this will mean that the CS50 student with data goggles gets a quite similar course experience than he would participate in the first row on the presence lecture.
The exact implementation is according to Harvard University still experimental. In short announcement video of the Harvard professor, however, you get a first impression of the 360 degree format. In addition to the more passive lecture attendance could in future play a role VR interactive elements. Interesting world for participants: participation in the VR version is, according to the producers and for existing MOOC again be designed to be open, inter alia, using the platform EDX. Further details will be on the CS50 page on YouTube to learn when starting in autumn be (https://www.youtube.com/cs50).
And what does that mean for the future of VR teaching at Harvard?
Any other VR lectures you stand there basically very optimistically. This shows once again that in the United States compared to new learning technologies, there is a great openness and enthusiasm. Speaking to Edukatico says about future VR offers:
"VR is silent in its infancy but we envision unique use cases for it: such as meeting one-on-one with remote faculty, and whole new experiences did no other medium has been able to offer. There's just something about it that's really engaging. "
(Dan Coffey, Senior Educational Production Technologist, Harvard University)
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality (VR) is the digital representation of an interactive and realistic environment. The precocious flight simulator is this a known sample application. Here pilots can learn the real-time display of a flight and the impact of your actions live. The entire flying experience is thereby technically simulated. The professional 3D visualization in the kitchen or bathroom planning are another industrial application example (for example, the recently launched "Holoroom" the US home improvement retailer Lowe's). Equally diverse VR computer games have already been developed.
A somewhat attenuated form of digital realities is the so-called. Augmented Reality (AR). This represents an electronically augmented reality, also called blended or mixed reality. In this virtual elements are projected into the real environment. One or the other, this should in the game hit "Pokemon Go" (contents are integrated into the image of the smartphone camera) or of the head-up displays in the automotive sector (information is displayed on the windscreen) must be known.
From the 3D glasses for "Head Mounted Display"
In the basic version is a perspective view as perceived through a simple 3D glasses. From a display with two superimposed images (for example, movie screen) is generated a 3D version of the eye through the glasses. In this simple embodiment, however, still lack the characteristic of a modern VR experience interactivity in real time. The image in this case not yet responded to the audience.
In other hand the so-called. Head Mounted Display (HMD), so for example in the known devices Oculus Rift or HTC Vive (each as a PC option). Here sensors for the movements of the head are also included and the graphics generated adapts in real time to these movements. The contents are as 360 placed degree video available and can be perceived by the viewer around therefore, quite as located to be part of the action. Yet intense is this spatial virtual experience when added data gloves or a gesture control. An entry-level version of HMDs are the VR goggles headsets for smartphones represent (for example, Google Cardboard or Zeiss VR One).
What exactly is to be actually achieved with this technique?
The aim of the modern Virtual Reality - technology is enabling a full immersion, that is an "immersion" in the new world with all your senses as possible. Various subjects of VR experiments have repeatedly confirmed that this is in practice already very largely succeeds. In the so-called Immersive Education then in this way virtual education is to be experienced up close, just as "Immersive Learning".
1 million students on virtual school trips with Google
Unsurprisingly is also in the field of VR training the Google Group one of the most active drivers of innovation. About Google Experiences example experimenting with virtual school excursions. 1 million students from 11 countries have already had to this "virtual field trips" competition at June 2016th Certainly not a substitute for a real trip, but as a supplement arise here but interesting possibilities.
Over 200 virtual destinations are already available from London's Buckingham Palace to the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building in Dubai. A practical hurdle in the implementation are not (yet) the equipment costs: the required hardware for 30 students is available for around $ 10,000 in the US.
BSEL leader in the VR teaching in Germany
Also in Germany is already filed in several individual projects on use of virtual scenarios in teaching.
An existing example for several years, the "virtual 3D worlds" at the Academy of Economics and Law (HWR) in Berlin. There is under the direction of the e-learning officer Prof. Dr. Marcus Birkenkrahe e.g. experimented with seminars in an artificially generated avatar environment. It is true that at the HWR not previously worked with the full HMD technology for participants (a simple PC-based monitor display). Despite a largely immersive experience is created and even interactive applications such as communication training are successfully integrated. Up to 80 students each semester already participate in the VR-events, even if the university focus currently rather still is, according to HWR in e-learning in the field of MOOCs and blended learning concepts.
Prof. Birkenkrahe particular holds the new possibilities of immersion in the virtual environment, in contrast to simple interaction (eg Web 2.0) as crucial: "We are talking here about the on-screen learner starts, the line between its physical reality and the forgetting virtual world. "
Although there are simple video lectures at many German universities, exists at the HWR thus one of the few recent 3D versions of courses. However, the HWR seminars are not publicly available.
"Cyber Classrooms" from the Black Forest
In another project, are possible with the innovative "Cyber Classroom" Dealers Imsimity from the Black Forest also immersive 3D learning environments. This may, inter alia, the chemical processes are close to plants and the process of photosynthesis researched by the students. There are case variants for schools, vocational training and also an "academic edition" for universities.
Although the actual number of users of these exemplary VR training projects are still limited, here trendsetting impulses are.
It is hoped that the current skepticism about VR applications in Germany in the future something can be further turned into something positive. So far, the more negative attitude towards virtual interaction was at least according to a survey by GfK in a circle of 22 countries in Germany still most pronounced.
Better learning experience with VR
The positive effects of virtual reality teaching are obvious. The digital learning experience as a whole is more intense and closer to the analog reality experience. There are three human senses involved (seeing, hearing, feeling), which by means of a modern, fast graphics equipment already on a total immersion (immersion) makes in the digital hypothetical environment simultaneously.
Among other things, at the required experiments for educational purposes in the scientific MINT subjects of this option realistic experience can bring great benefits. Likewise, for example, when learning skills such as in medical education, which already can be made operational training in a virtual environment.
Is it worth the VR use in teaching?
It cited research that see a 90% learning in simulations, compared to 20-30% success at seeing or hearing of learning content. And although this certainly sound scientific work will be necessary: already 2,500 years ago Confucius remarked about one's own experience as a method in the learning process. "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I act and I understand"
Education for all
Simultaneously Reality formation scenarios are valid for the Virtual naturally the same advantages as for the e-learning in general. The variable cost or marginal cost of transmitting knowledge to fall to zero. Each additional participant in the educational process caused little additional cost. With its scalable access to education for other interested parties will be facilitated. A cost-effective and resource-efficient training is possible for almost unlimited subscriber groups. New learning prospective thus get first or at least easier access to learning content (condition as always in e-learning: existing hardware in the participants and sufficient computer literacy).
The biggest hurdle for VR
On the contra side can object to that little against Virtual Reality in the educational process. Of course, the long-term effects of VR sequences are (medical and psychological) to keep on the human body closely. Prof. Birkenkrahe of the BSEL has e.g. indicated that VR events are due to the sensorimotor peculiarities compared to classroom teaching of subscribers often perceived as strenuous. Simultaneously, the educational effort by the teachers in the creation of VR seminars is not negligible.
As the actual main obstacle in the spread of VR training scenarios, however, the relatively high initial investment can apply, which are as it were the downside of low running costs. However, the appropriate hardware is likely to cheapen dramatically over the next few years. And with the allocation of fixed costs in accordance with the high numbers attending these are also increasingly better tolerable.
VR-Education: "Transforming the delivery of knowledge"
Therefore not surprising that experts groundbreaking possibilities of virtual reality in an educational context. The now available graphics performance, now enables now bring existing visions step by step with new applications in the learning environment. The required 3D equipment in education participants should inter alia be also due to consumer applications continue to spread (similar to PC and Smartphone). therefore Leading international experts noted in a recent education report:
"These technologies are poised to impact learning by transporting students to any imaginable location across the known universe and transforming the delivery of knowledge and empowering students to engage in deep learning." (NMC Horizon Report 2016)
Edukatico is Your E-Learning - Portal
Thousands online courses from various suppliers from 22 subject areas, you can find to Edukatico directory. And the best VR-education programs in the coming years are of course added!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Meet the new Microsoft HoloLens.
Microsoft HoloLens is the first fully self-contained, holographic computer, enabling you to interact with high‑definition holograms in your world.
With the Microsoft HoloLens you get a whole new, holographic world at least this is the goal. You can properties instead of having flat on the screen in front of you, wherever you place in the room, they look in 3D, around them are going to work with them, change them ... So all this becomes reality, Microsoft has its own "Holographic Academy "launched gathered developers and working on innovative applications for HoloLens. According to Microsoft HoloLens appears 2016 and will be available for a price of less than USD 500. The currently available Development Edition will cost 3000 USD.
comfort of the Microsoft HoloLens.
An inner ring Extra distributes the weight of Microsoft HoloLens evenly over your head. So the spectacle does not press on the nose or ears, but on the head crown. The strap size itself simply with a small wheel adjust, so that the AR glasses adapts exactly to your head circumference.
sound
The Microsoft HoloLens has built-in audio that ensures sound without headphones for immersive sound without you doing the "real" environment lose out of his ears. This sound is created using a human ear modeled technology. Your ear "hears" the sound like from different directions, precisely matched to the AR-image.
Display / Technology
A complete, ingested solely by the AR-world field of view you do not have the Microsoft HoloLens, but rather a kind of tunnel vision in the holographic world. The lenses used to use an optimized projection system produces multidimensional full color images as a hologram. The built-in HoloLens calculator is based on the same core as the computers of the Windows 10 family and therefore has more power than most laptops. For all this power is not excessively hot, we, the AR glasses has a passive Kühlu
Thursday, June 16, 2016
The most exciting Virtual Reality Games
On March 28, pre-order will receive the Oculus Rift. The virtual reality goggles was the forerunner of the great hype, now the Facebook company Oculus is also the first of the three major suppliers on the market. But what is really going on on the new devices? BILD presents some of the most interesting titles.
What emerges now: A common video game easy to translate into virtual reality, might not work in racing games and orbital simulations. Much more interesting, however, if the game makers develop completely new, tailored to the gaming experience ideas.
"Eagle Flight"
Let's start with something Relaxed. Ubisoft lets players in "Eagle Flight" get into the skin of an eagle and so flying over the rooftops of Paris. The player sees where otherwise his nose sits, actually a beak and left and right its wings. While there is in "Eagle Flight" a competitive mode where four players compete for points. But just as fun to simply glide over the virtual Seine to enjoy the views.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Midas Touch Games: The importance of physics
One of the first aspects of virtual reality is to push as far as possible realism to immerse in more detail yet the user. We are still far from perfect, between the crash bugs, sometimes very relative quality of textures, AI still has a long way to go, imprecise movements and of course the absence of meaning as touch (for the moment) or smell difficult to reproduce but which confer a sense of significant real. Yet every year new technological achievements bring us closer to realism as sought by some as Midas Touch Games. One of them: the physics engine, essential to the credibility of movements and interactions with the environment.
Midas Touch Games is a small start up company specializing in virtual reality and you guessed it, the physics engine. For them, the credibility goes largely by physics. One that governed our world and who must in turn govern the virtual world. The video game has understood for years and since the 8th generation consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii), physics is very present and it is currently increasingly rare to find games do not offer a realistic minimum physical one capable of handling the ragdolls (dead bodies) or objects in the environment. The movements also use this technology to simulate more realistic. When the avatar approaches a wall goes up or down stairs, or when he crosses obstacles, physics gets involved to manage its placement, orientation of the body, etc ... all coupled movements like those built through the motion capture, new animation creation system that uses sensors on real players that reproduce the movements which are then virtualized.
Midas Touch Games et un chien pour exemple
Après cette petite entrée en matière, il convient de parler du studio qui nous intéresse aujourd’hui : Midas Touch Games. Équipés d’un ancien kit Oculus Rift et d’un détecteur de mouvement pour les mains, l’utilisateur est envoyé dans un petit jardin avec pour seule et unique compagnie : un chien. Meilleur ami de l’homme dans la réalité, il peut s’avérer surprenant de réalisme et d’affection dans un monde en 3D comme tente de le montrer la start up.
Réagissant au moindre toucher, le chien se laisse caresser, prendre la patte, repousser, et ainsi de suite. Tout ça avec un réalisme assez impressionnant qui prend un compte la force appliquée au mouvement par le joueur ainsi que la forme de sa main, celle du chien et réagi ainsi en conséquence, appliquant une physique plutôt réaliste.
To reach this level of quality, techniques used long been used in animation and video games: the skeletons. The time or virtual bodies were only empty envelopes are long gone, today is reproduced muscles and skeleton in order to apply realistic animations. So if the arm moves forward, there will be repercussions on the rest of the associated members, need to animate by hand each body part. By applying a force, friction, shape, mass, converting the 3D shape in a credible object. Thus the dog, and the hands of the avatar are made with 20-30 bones to define the body. The physics engine takes over and without going into details of the operation, it becomes possible to apply a realistic management actions and interaction with the environment.
Evan Suma, a professor who studies virtual reality at the University 'of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies, "explains perfectly agree with Midas Touch Games, pointing that the key to give this real illusion is undoubtedly the physical. "You are not a spectator but a participant of the world," she reveals.
We let you see it for yourself:
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Kittypocalypse
Download the game here
Rigs: Mechanized Combat League
If you've never wanted to pilot a massive mech in VR then you're probably a liar. Either way, you'll get your chance in Rigs: Mechanized Combat League, a Project Morpheus FPS heading to the PS4.
Set 50 years in the future, you control 'Rigs' — piloted, highly-tuned, athletic machines that compete in a futuristic, weapon-based sport. Of course, your robots have lasers, rockets and plasma cannons, which means you'll also need jump jets to avoid getting killed all the time.
Set in massive multi-floor arenas, its backdrops of Dubai and Rio look gorgeous, and we can't wait to see how its gameplay fares.
Arizona Sunshine
There will probably come a time when we're sick of zombie games played in VR; for now, though, the thought of getting close enough to smell the rotting flesh of the undead hordes is strangely alluring. In development by Vertigo Games, Arizona Sunshine is shaping up to be a graphically impressive, fast-paced zombie shooter.
As one of the first SteamVR games, it will use the HTC Vive's motion controllers to let you blow chunks off approaching enemies. Do you run, or do you gun? Arizona Sunshine looks set to make you consider your choice very carefully.
