Another step in a positive direction
This is an exciting time to work in communications and marketing. It seems like every day there are new tools and applications designed to facilitate better, faster communication. Over the past several months, college communications have moved forward on several fronts - YouTube, Facebook, Twitter are being actively used; we made our first set of "Robo calls" just a few weeks ago. We are using the electronic signs, radio and tv stations, and the college web site to promote all the good stuff happening here at the college.
I just attended a conference on interactive 3D technology. As you know, LCC has an i3D theatre and lab, both for students who need to learn to use this technology, and to assist faculty in developing i3D learning objects for their courses.
To understand the potential impact of this technology on education, think video games. Though I am not a big "gamer" (beyond an occasional cow race on Wii), we know that this is huge with many 10 - 30 year olds. I don't think it takes too much imagination to appreciate that the more we can make learning enjoyable, interactive, and engaging, the faster students will learn. Would you rather memorize a chart with the body parts of a frog, or build a frog as a virtual lesson? Though an interactive 3D game may not always be as effective as the real thing, it often can be the next best thing to being there. What if you could learn about D-Day as an Avatar marine landing at Normandy? The possibilities are limitless.
The bottom line is pretty straightforward - better, faster, deeper learning.
I'm looking forward to learning more about how we can leverage this new technology.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see us use this technology on some program web pages. It can make for a very engaging on-line experience.
ReplyDeleteThis is great, Lucian! What an exciting start to this blog. I3D is huge in high demand industries like Energy, GIS, and Aerospace just to mention a few. How great it is for LCC to take a front seat in higher ed by bringing this technology to our students. It's an amazing time to be a student at LCC!
ReplyDeleteAs I think back several decades ago when the computer became the electronic pencil for most people,it was strange and oh so scary. Now the computer is commonplace in our homes, communities, and workplaces. We use them routinely without thinking or debating their usefulness. As I fast forward to the next generation of learning...i3D and immersive technologies, I am pleased that Lansing Community College is on the leading edge of this phenomenon; that is LCC is helping students and stakeholders learn subject matter in a fun and contemporary manner. Soon this technology will be as commonplace as the computer...it is in our neighborhood theatres, used in our healthcare facilities, and in our manufacturing facilities... The Business, Media, and Information Technologies Division invites the public to stop by and take a look at our new i3D theatre and production labs. Please call 483-1640 for a tour.
ReplyDeleteFlorida Virtual School delivers a 16 week long American History course as a video game (Conspiracy Code). I wonder if we could do something similar...
ReplyDeleteOne thing is clear from our trip - developing first rate interactive learning objects is not easy or fast. It would be great if we could build partnerships with places like FVS so that we didn't have to continually "reinvent the wheel".
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to a preview of Conspirancy Code - looks great. http://www.flvs.net/areas/flvscourses/ConspiracyCode/Pages/default.aspx.
ReplyDeleteHas the college looked at ED 360 software?