3D Teaching Basics

Movie theaters are not at all like the classroom, however. Let’s take a look at three practical questions about 3D in the classroom: What does it look like? What do we need to do this? What does it cost?

Our first question is: “What does 3D look like?”

Well, for now we’ll have to use the underwhelming and often insufficient nature of words to help you ‘see’ what 3D looks like in the classroom. At their worst, 3D images or videos have an appealing depth to them. They are quite interesting, certainly appealing to the attending function of the brain.    

At their best, however, 3d images or videos become altogether holographic, jutting out of the screen or reaching into the personal space directly in front of each viewer.

 

Another key question is: “What are the components needed to bring 3D into the classroom?” Basically, here’s what you need:

Our final question is “What does it cost?”

Until now, bringing 3d to the classroom was an expensive proposition. For example, seven years ago I visited a showcase community college classroom with this capability—40k was the price tag. Three years ago, another 3d school project came in at a mere 13k per classroom. Those prices certainly reflect complete impracticality within normal school settings.

But things are rapidly changing.  Prices are dropping significantly. The 3D technology now comes integrated without cost into most modern DLP projectors, requiring only a single projector; 3d-enabled computer graphic card costs have dropped from $800 to $120; 3D glasses are trending down (last year dropping to $150, sinking to less than $99 by last fall, and will likely level off at $35-50 per pair very soon; and more and more 3D content is becoming available.