Microsoft, makers of the XBox Kinect--a gesture recognition gaming system--announced at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show that Kinect technology will be coming to Windows in February. What does this really mean?
The primary point of interest in gesture-recognition computing is that it "frees" users from the device. Computing--finding and manipulating technology, using programs or apps, watching TV--will not be dependent upon traditional input devices (keyboards, mouse, touch screens, remotes). Gesture-recognition frees the user from having to have traditional points of contact with a device. And here I was eyeing up a touch screen computer!
Combined with increasingly cost efficient LCD and LED TVs and projectors, this makes sitting in front of a computer for presentations, work in groups or even basic computing less important. The potential is limited only to what we can imagine at this point. My favorite quote from Steve Jobs might apply:
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
Some innovative "hackers" (aka designers), for instance, have developed Kinect technology for use at hospitals.
Microsoft also announced recently that they are developing Kinect Sesame Street TV, a completely interactive game/TV hybrid where children can throw a ball to Grover (on the screen) and he will catch it...an he will throw it back, among other features.
Finally, a new way to shop for clothes is being tested.
So...this is cool, but how does it impact my educational practices and improve student learning?
Once the technology becomes more effective and gesture sensitive, the ability to get away from the board--blackboard, whiteboard, and even the Smartboard--frees the educator to move around the room and makes EVERY surface a learning environment. The Kinect or other gesture-recognition device also:
Finally, a new way to shop for clothes is being tested.
So...this is cool, but how does it impact my educational practices and improve student learning?
Once the technology becomes more effective and gesture sensitive, the ability to get away from the board--blackboard, whiteboard, and even the Smartboard--frees the educator to move around the room and makes EVERY surface a learning environment. The Kinect or other gesture-recognition device also:
- Reduces the need for schools won't need to buy $2000-$6000 Smartboard (with projector) and affix them to the wall when it can buy an $700 projector (or less) and a $250 Kinect (for computer). Coupled with the fact that the price of technology (Apple excluded) generally goes down over time, these estimated prices might be high.
- Allows students of every age and ABILITY to interact with their own education.
- Accounts, almost automatically, for student differences and abilities.
- Moves education from a 2D environment to a 3D environment
As I reread this post, I think I am vastly underselling or underestimating the importance of this next step in our technological evolution. I hope that some of you who think farther outside of the box than I do can come up with more...?
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