Is 2017 the year for Virtual Reality (VR)? You don’t have to look far to see researchers, analysts, and bloggers sharing their ideas and forecasts for VR in 2017 and beyond. In fact, it is likely to see Virtual – Augmented – Mixed Reality (VAMR) become part of our everyday landscape, impacting many industries. One area already embracing VAMR is education. In Engadget’s recent Public Access article, Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed reality – Promise and Peril for Education, Todd Richmond, Ph.D., Director, Mixed Reality Lab/Studio, USC Institute for Creative Technologies/School for Cinematic Arts, delivers a snapshot into VAMR development, specifically for educational purposes.
Educational institutions have already begun experimenting in VAMR with the use of Cardboard viewers for “virtual field trips.” However, as education continues to explore the use of VAMR, a complete rethink of what constitutes a classroom experience ensues. How virtual and physical can coexist in meaningful and effective ways is a chief question for VAMR’s future. While it is an exciting future, many questions still lie ahead for VAMR. Interested in learning more? Todd will provide insight on this topic at the annual SXSW Conference and Festival, 10-19 March, 2017. The session, AR/VR: The Promise and Danger Behind the Hype, is included in the IEEE Tech for Humanity Series at SXSW. For more information please see http://techforhumanity.ieee.org
