This is the landing page for a continuing project’s “Engineering Notebook” to present and discuss the benefits of moving from a very analog based world learning environment to a very digital based world learning environment, currently we call this “mixed reality” but I believe it is rapidly becoming our new reality.
What are we talking about?
We’ll take a look at the differences, similarities, and best applications for Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)… collectively eXtended Reality (XR), and why these technologies (plus even a touch of AI) are rapidly moving from someday to Sunday. We’ll take a look at hardware, software, dev tools, production concepts, adoption/adaptation concerns, and maybe even a bit of the psychology of why one approach works better (or not at all) versus another approach.
Who is this for?
This exploration will be aimed at the learning technology enthusiasts and practitioners, as well as instructional designers (and the supervisors and administrators managing their budgets) who are curious about these terms they hear floating around in the faculty lounge but may not think they are ready to attempt the use of such “futuristic” and “unproven” technology. Of course, anyone interested in XR tech is welcome as well. Looking at you – hobbyists, technicians, engineers, and the technically curious.
Why this? Why now?
The goal is to show that these technologies are anything but “unproven” and to move the needle from “misunderstood” to “understood” and dispel the myth that they are not yet ready for any and every classroom – real and virtual.
While no list involving technology is ever truly exhaustive or complete, I would like to see those named above use this site as an introduction to the technology (the history, the current state, and perhaps some speculation about the future) to define the differences and similarities of the technology and a guide to which technology is the best solution for a particular application or learning approach.
How long will this run?
As this collection of information will be useful for my professional problem solving in delivering state-of-the-art training to state-of-the-art professionals on demand wherever they are, this site will perpetually serve as my “lab notebook” where lessons learned on the battlefield are documented.
What’s your angle? What’s in it for me (WIIFM)?
As a technical training manager for a cutting-edge technology company, the use of technology to train in technology skills and knowledge is the true test of practicing what you preach. So, while I continue to learn what works/doesn’t work in this ever-evolving space, I’ll bring you along for the ride and I hope that we can help each other through stimulating discussions and interactions.
The Tech
What do you want to explore next?
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Augmented Reality (AR)
- Mixed Reality (MR)
- eXtended Reality (XR)
- Technical Training Reality (TTR)
- Research Drives Reality (RDR)
OK, so I made those last two up myself. I guess I got caught up in the “reality” of the moment.