Crowded in zSpace

One of the busiest booths I have seen at several recent conferences has been the zSpace exhibit. ZSpace is a Silicon Valley company offering what I call “a near-holographic hardware platform,” one which really draws the crowds. Why some booths flourish, while others do not can be explained by my little poem: “Something trusted, something new, someone invited, something cool.”  Trusted brands, new products, unique new capabilities, and ‘cool’ technologies seem to corral traffic reliably.  zSpace is drawing crowds because they are offering something never seen before—and it is certainly ‘cool.’ As far as “someone invited.”  I personally invited many power educators and top 3D industry folks to walk with me over to the zSpace booth. Now, these educators and industry leaders are seasoned folks--technology leaders, speakers, or integrators who really know their ed tech. They can see fluff right away, and are always a tough sell. I spoke to each person later, and each one was overly impressed with the zSpace offering. Knowing that these educators always start from a posture of deep skepticism, I was actually quite surprised at their reaction. It tells you something. (By the way, zSpace will be exhibiting at the upcoming TCEA conference, if you want to see them for yourself.)

Their GUI interface has a lot to do with their attractiveness, as it offers a unique metaphor for navigation. Gone are the primitive control screens I see with most other 3D solutions. The zSpace user interface is fun, new, invigorating, metaphorical, and captivating. They call it the zSpace experience. I get it. Using zSpace,  I was able to pick up objects with a stylus and deposit them in a spinning portal which then took me to another scene or 3D environment, like magic. It’s different. And in this day of look-alikes and same-as, different is good.

But really…why is zSpace really drawing such attention?  Don’t laugh, but my sense is that, in the zSpace offerings, educators catch a glimmer of the future of education. The education business, still in the throes of the recession, needs that restorative hope.

Webinar Reminder

Just a reminder! The SIG3D Webinar is tomorrow!

A uniquely informative webinar on the topic of 
3D and vision health in the classroom,

sponsored by ISTE SIG3D

“The Eyes Have It” features three expert speakers, a unique backchannel topic, and a vibrant question and answer session.  If you want to learn more about 3D in education, 3D in Vision, and how vision health intersects with a child’s ability to learn, you won’t want to miss this powerful educational experience. Join us at the contemporary crossroads of health and educational technology.

When:            Tuesday, January 21

Time:              8:oo p.m. ET /  7:00 p.m. CT /  6:00 p.m. MT /  5:00 p.m. PT

Length:          1 hour (30 minutes of presentation followed by Q&A)

Register:        Register for this event at this SIG3D webinar registration link

Webinar Presenters

Dr. Jeri Schneebeck, O.D., F,C.O.V.D.,

Dr. Schneebeck received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder and her professional degree from Pacific University College of Optometry.  Dr. Schneebeck is a fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the organization certifying optometrists specializing in the area of vision therapy.  She recently achieved the title of Diplomate, American Board of Optometry. She has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Colorado Optometric Association for her service to the profession of optometry.  She was coauthor of the published article:   “Doctor, Ergonomic Thyself”, Journal of Behavioral Optometry, Volume 15, 2004, Number 4, coauthored with Rebecca Hutchins, O.D.  Dr. Schneebeck provides consulting and screening services for area schools and frequently speaks to parent, teacher, and professional groups on vision-related subjects.  Dr. Schneebeck operates the Highline Vision Center , in Aurora (CO), specializing in the use of modern 3D technology in the diagnosis and treatment of visual disorders.

Dr. Jacinta Yeung, O.D., M.Ed in Visual Function in Learning

Dr. Yeung started her undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta in her hometown of Edmonton, Canada. She received her Bachelors of Visual Sciences and Doctor of Optometry Degree from Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR. In conjunction with her optometry degree, Dr. Yeung achieved a Masters in Education in Visual Function in Learning (M.Ed/VFL) from the College of Education at Pacific University. This degree was designed to extend an optometrist's knowledge in how vision is related to reading and learning, and allow optometrists to consult with teachers regarding students with learning related vision problems. Dr. Yeung was awarded the Tole Greenstein Award for clinical excellence in binocular vision and pediatrics. She also received the BSK Chapter Award for Exceptional Research in 2013. 

Len Scrogan, Digital Learning Architect, University of Colorado-Denver

A former teacher, principal, and technology director for the Boulder Valley Schools, Len was named Outstanding Technology Administrator in the state of Colorado in 2009. Len is currently a Digital Learning Architect and author of Digital Shapeshifter, a book on creative visual teaching and learning. Len is a professor at  the University of Colorado-Denver and also a blogger, TEDx speaker, and recognized ed-tech author and speaker. He is a co-author of the American Optometric Association’s seminal report on 3D in the classroom, See Well, Learn Well. Len serves as the online community manager for LinkedIn’s Stereo 3D Media and Technology online community of 8,000 members. Recently, he served as a national judge for the Technology & Learning 2013 software awards and is currently a software reviewer for Technology & Learning magazine. Len is also a board member for the new ISTE SIG3D interest group and a member of the COSN Emerging Technologies Committee.

Best of Future-Talk 3D

It’s been a thriving year for the Future-Talk 3D blog, so it is fitting to reflect on the most popular topical posts of 2013.  The top ten posts are presented below, in order of most web impressions received last year:

Implementing 3D (Part 3)
Vision Health News
More on Brain Research and 3D Learning
A Teacher's Story
A Swedish Success Story
3D StereoLab
SIG3D
Small Miracles
SIG3D Goes Supernova
Med Ed 3D (2)

Actually, it’s quite thought provoking to speculate as to why these particular topics were “top of mind” in 2013 for the diverse international audience that regularly follows this blog. Certainly, these topics might be worthy of re-reading. Please let us know your hypothesis or thinking by posting a short comment.

ISTE SIG3D Webinar

A uniquely informative webinar on the topic of 
3D and vision health in the classroom,

sponsored by ISTE SIG3D

“The Eyes Have It” features three expert speakers, a unique backchannel topic, and a vibrant question and answer session.  If you want to learn more about 3D in education, 3D in Vision, and how vision health intersects with a child’s ability to learn, you won’t want to miss this powerful educational experience. Join us at the contemporary crossroads of health and educational technology.

When:            Tuesday, January 21

Time:              8:oo p.m. ET /  7:00 p.m. CT /  6:00 p.m. MT /  5:00 p.m. PT

Length:          1 hour (30 minutes of presentation followed by Q&A)

Register:        Register for this event at this SIG3D webinar registration link

Webinar Presenters

Dr. Jeri Schneebeck, O.D., F,C.O.V.D.,

Dr. Schneebeck received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder and her professional degree from Pacific University College of Optometry.  Dr. Schneebeck is a fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the organization certifying optometrists specializing in the area of vision therapy.  She recently achieved the title of Diplomate, American Board of Optometry. She has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Colorado Optometric Association for her service to the profession of optometry.  She was coauthor of the published article:   “Doctor, Ergonomic Thyself”, Journal of Behavioral Optometry, Volume 15, 2004, Number 4, coauthored with Rebecca Hutchins, O.D.  Dr. Schneebeck provides consulting and screening services for area schools and frequently speaks to parent, teacher, and professional groups on vision-related subjects.  Dr. Schneebeck operates the Highline Vision Center , in Aurora (CO), specializing in the use of modern 3D technology in the diagnosis and treatment of visual disorders.

Dr. Jacinta Yeung, O.D., M.Ed in Visual Function in Learning

Dr. Yeung started her undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta in her hometown of Edmonton, Canada. She received her Bachelors of Visual Sciences and Doctor of Optometry Degree from Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR. In conjunction with her optometry degree, Dr. Yeung achieved a Masters in Education in Visual Function in Learning (M.Ed/VFL) from the College of Education at Pacific University. This degree was designed to extend an optometrist's knowledge in how vision is related to reading and learning, and allow optometrists to consult with teachers regarding students with learning related vision problems. Dr. Yeung was awarded the Tole Greenstein Award for clinical excellence in binocular vision and pediatrics. She also received the BSK Chapter Award for Exceptional Research in 2013. 

Len Scrogan, Digital Learning Architect, University of Colorado-Denver

A former teacher, principal, and technology director for the Boulder Valley Schools, Len was named Outstanding Technology Administrator in the state of Colorado in 2009. Len is currently a Digital Learning Architect and author of Digital Shapeshifter, a book on creative visual teaching and learning. Len is a professor at  the University of Colorado-Denver and also a blogger, TEDx speaker, and recognized ed-tech author and speaker. He is a co-author of the American Optometric Association’s seminal report on 3D in the classroom, See Well, Learn Well. Len serves as the online community manager for LinkedIn’s Stereo 3D Media and Technology online community of 8,000 members. Recently, he served as a national judge for the Technology & Learning 2013 software awards and is currently a software reviewer for Technology & Learning magazine. Len is also a board member for the new ISTE SIG3D interest group and a member of the COSN Emerging Technologies Committee.