The Educational Technology team recently got their hands on one of Google’s Project Tango VR development kits to explore the impact that this new technology might have on learning. We’re undertaking a series of pilot studies with our academic departments focussing on use of the technology to open up new avenues and concepts of space to staff and students. Virtual exhibitions, area mapping, and deeper exploration of learning concepts in practice based disciplines are all examples of how the technology might be used.
So what is it? Project Tango is a Google technology platform that uses computer vision to enable mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to detect their position relative to the world around them without using GPS or other external signals. In short, it’s a mobile device with depth sensors and lasers.
There are various technologies; HoloLens, MagicLeap, iPad apps, that enable augmented and virtual reality where currently either price or functionality are a barrier to entry. This makes it harder to innovate within the University environment. The project tango development kit is built around the android operating system which opens it out to an existing community of developers and users and promotes new development and innovation.
The first pilot is taking place with the Institute of Photography and we expect this to run throughout 2016. We’ve starting blogging about it over at tango.falmouth.website, so look over there for updates as things progress. If you’re interested in finding out more or having a go with the device, contact the team.
In partnership with Falmouth’s BA
(Hons) Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management course, we are
piloting open source online communication tools to support students in
cross institutional communication and collaboration.
Why are we undertaking it?
Falmouth
University offers an increasingly diverse portfolio of academic
disciplines across two main campuses with a variety of teaching and
learning spaces. The ET team often receive requests about supporting
collaborative projects across departments, so as a means to promote clear
and transparent communication amongst students, Educational Technology
propose to implement a pilot study over a year period that address the
desire to improve collaborative practice.
Who’s involved?
Dwayne Roberts, MTEM student Mark Williams, Learning Technologist
What will the project achieve?
An
online platform that students can use to identify and promote and
exchange skill and start to form projects by identifying timeframe and
available dates.
When is the project taking place?
May 2015- MAY 2016 with recommendations for implementation in March 2016
Where can I find out more?
The paper we submitted to our Delivery of Innovation Group
And the Project Implemtation Review, that concludes the project and provides information for future iterations.
“Google Apps is a cloud-based productivity suite that helps you and your team connect and get work done from anywhere on any device.” (Google)
The recent agreement between Google and JANET has meant that Google Apps for Education has now become free for HEIs
Why are we undertaking it?
Staff and Students are increasingly making use of Google’s web based technologies both in their learning at Falmouth and in Creative Industries. Technological change happens at an exponential rate and by substituting some existing technologies with more evolved ones, we might redefine some of our learning and teaching activities. Educational Technology are helping explore these technologies with individuals and teams at Falmouth.
Who’s involved?
Mark Williams – Learning Technologist Staff Development Registry Music Team MIS Team Fine Art 3rd year course team
What will the project achieve?
The project will implement Google Apps at Falmouth and offer a secure platform for those interested to explore new opportunities for collaboration and community initiatives.
When is the project taking place?
The project was given the go ahead in February 2014 and we now have the system in place. The Educational Technology team are exploring partnerships with various user groups and more individuals and groups would be welcome.
Feedback so far has been broadly positive and for one group of users, the collaboration tools are “really helping us manage workloads and resolve issues”
Where can I find out more?
The paper we presented to our Delivery of Innovation Group
