Fans of Science Fiction are probably familiar with microbots (aka nanobots) – small robots that are usually injected into the body to fix any number of plot holes…. errr… medical conditions of the future. But why aren’t we using these bots in real life? This article looks at some of the current advances in dealing with the problems that are holding microbots back from widespread usage. The short version is that these tiny machines are hard to control once released. As the video above points out, nanobots were first successfully used in animals just last year (wonder why they had to point out “successful”?). Most people think of microbots in terms of medical advances (such as unclogging arteries or making chemotherapy more targeted and safe), there are also many ways that technology could be implanted inside of our bodies to bring about some form of Trans-humanism.
Scientists this week published an article about technology that could possibly fit thousands of terabytes of information on a single drive. The idea is that they basically used the position of atoms to store data. This is very new technology that is a long way away from being sold to people, but it points to a future where you could potentially store more data on a single device than you would ever need in an entire life time. Of course, we have access to that through the Internet, but a lot is still locked away behind paywalls and the Internet is still not everywhere. Breakthroughs like this could put a library of knowledge in your hand where ever you go. What it means to learn has also been evolving along these lines for a while now as memorizing facts becomes less important when you can easily look them up. More details in the video above.
Pens that draw circuits on paper are not necessarily a new thing, but it seems that people are taking these tools to new heights in their practical application. Since you can draw circuits that would conduct electricity on paper, then most logical conclusion is to them turn the paper into art that utilizes electricity. Or electricity art as some put it. The video above shows some of the city model work that has been created with these pens, but this technology could also be put into use in other forms of art as well. I would have loved this as a kid if it could work with Legos.
So by now you probably know what Pokemon GO is. If not, then you probably don’t care. For the sake of the one or two that might not know, Pokemon GO is an augmented reality game. Augmented Reality is a concept that has been around for a while (believe it or not, it’s history goes back to at least 1901), but has been gaining momentum in recent years as due on mobile devices. The basic idea is exactly what it sounds like: adding a layer of something to reality around us. Video gamers in the 80s probably remember a video game called M.A.C.H. 3 – a game that put a computer graphic jet fighter on top of real flight footage. Now take this into current times where you can create that real footage in real time with your mobile phone, while also adding computer graphics in real time. This is the current field of augmented reality, while projects like Microsoft Hololens are taking it in other directions. Augmented reality apps do everything from layering map directions on the road in front of you to letting you fight off alien invasions from your back yard. In other words, Pokemon GO is not really anything new. Pokemon GO just found a way to connect existing ideas with an addictive popular idea that got a massive number of people suddenly interested in it. In many ways, Pokemon GO is the xMOOC of the augmented reality world. And just like xMOOCs, we are already hearing about how Pokemon GO will revolutionize education (of course it won’t) or how we need Pokemon GO to get learners active, engaged, communal, etc (even though we already have many things that do that in education already). See also my blog post “Pokemon Go and the Gimmickification of Education.” Additionally, the sudden mass popularity of Pokemon Go has created problems with data, personal injuries, and even criminal attacks. No one really takes the time to think through potential misuse of technology anymore… except for, of course, those that want to misuse it. If you love Pokemon GO (it is a pretty cool game designed to get people active after all), don’t let that distract you from other interesting uses of augmented reality that have been around for a while. If you hate Pokemon GO, don’t let that turn you off to other, better uses of augmented reality.
Glowforge bills itself as an “iconic 3-D Laser printer” that “makes magical things at the push of a button.” Of course, those of us that remember the 90s remember when laser printers were all the rage, but it is important to note that 3-D printers are not really printers at all. The Glowforge FAQs point out that their product is not really a printer but a “CNC laser cutter engraver” that can cut shapes out of, or engrave designs into, solid pieces of leather, wood, acrylic, or chocolate. In order for your creations to really be 3-D, you kind of have to glue those pieces together layer by layer. But you can print up some cool things with it… if you can afford the $4700 price tag. And I am not sure I would be ready to stick my Mac-book into this machine to let it engrave designs on it. But the video makes it look you can create all kinds of things – like a rubber band shooting drone” – or engrave designs on all kinds of existing things (clothes, food, books, etc). Someday we all may just need our own FabLab room next to the laundry room or office it seems.
One of the main goals of Innovate LINK is take a brief look at technologies and ideas that fall under the fuzzy banner of “Innovation.” Of course, Innovation is often in the eye of the beholder – some people are still discovering PowerPoint for the first time every week. I tend to look at new technology that is being worked on that may be of interest to educators, without really commenting (much) on company hype, claims, propaganda, etc. However, critical examination of those areas and others must be a part of the conversation. Audrey Watters is one of the top voices bringing that critical lens to the table. Her recent post “(Marketing) Virtual Reality in Education: A History” is a must-read for anyone interested in Virtual Reality. As Watters points out, there is a lot to question about the recent VR hype that isn’t being questioned… or is it being intentionally obscured? Anyone that has put on a VR headset has probably thought “this is cool!” But… can it really help learners learn better? What about the cost? Is it really “virtual reality”? Be sure to ask the hard questions and dig into the history and bias behind technology before investing big money or time. Also see the video above for other VR historical events (and mistakes) as well as the whole “it will be different this time” argument (as opposed to the last time it was argued it will different this time, and the time before that, and so on).
Ever wish you could have that tool in graphic editor programs that lets you change your drawing color to whatever you click on, but in real life? Now you can with the Scribble Pen. Just touch one end to the color you want, then write with the other end in that color. Probably not a tool for everyone, but the art teacher in me loves this idea. Basically, it is a small scanner on one end, and set of ink tubes on the other end that allows the pen to create a wide range of colors. There is a version that works with paper, one that works with tablets, and one that works with both. Of course, the price is pretty expensive (looks like retail prices will be between $200-400), and you will have to be constantly replacing the ink. The ink is lightfast and water-resistant, so it won’t fade away – but that means it will probably cost more. Still a cool idea that the artist in me is drooling over.
