Assignment Two

Assignment Two link : Natural User Interfaces Are Not Natural

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tDaZltCL6hTej_TbMiM53Ak_FqTgWdmb2f6veZXywXk/edit?hl=en_US

Assignment one

 Assignment one link:

https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dgdp72cz_4g7qmchd9&revision=_latest&start=0&theme=chalkboard&cwj=true

iPhone and iTouch Technology

Turn your iPhone or iTouch to the side the image also turns as well. The iPhone and iTouch technology has been  intelllengently designed. It has a built-in  “motion sensor/accelerometer”  which enables the devise to switch sides when turned sideways automatically , that allows the device to detect, adjust and “match its new physical orientation” (http://ipod.about.com/od/howtos/qt/Rotate-6th-Generation-Ipod-Nano-Screen.htm)

It uses  three-axis gyroscope (X, Y and Z) technology. These gyroscope axises technology when  paired with the accelerometer and electronic compass technology  "makes iPhone 4 capable of advanced motion sensing such as user acceleration, full 3D attitude, and rotation rate".  (http://www.memsinvestorjournal.com/2010/12/motion-sensing-in-the-iphone-4-mems-accelerometer.html).The use of gyroscope technology uses a “spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation” that changes orientation with a very little effort (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope).

 

A gyroscope in operation with freedom in all three axes. The rotor will maintain its spin axis direction regardless of the orientation of the outer frame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope).

Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense

The SixthSense innovation is an expansion of Smart Phone, Wii and Xbox 360 Kinect technologies. This technology is a milestone into a new horizon using motion sensor technology which is usable  on any surfaces and is portable in its design. This innovation will help in stimulating creativity in our learners through interactivity and promoting ownership.  It is a revolutionary invention especially when using bare hands to take pictures and accessing real time data on demand. This invention will change human behaviour in making daily life decisions and "choices". It’s intriguing to imagine the potential of such a gadget in our daily lives, especially when having information on hand at all times.  It’s dynamic and portability feature as presented by Pattie Mayes will have a profound impact on the innovation industry and its users. With the help of Nanotechnology and further fine tuning in its size and durability, it will have immense positive impact in any specialized fields such as medicine and education. The SixSense innovation will promote competiveness and curiosity among designers and inventers to create or expand into new avenues in comparison to the technologies of  today such as iPads and iPhones. The invention of SixSense gadget will eliminate the accessibility issues for individuals with impairments and disabilities to some extend.

There are some implications when using such technologies. It may breach  privacy law, especially when accessing someone elses information.  It may well diminish individual’s decision making skills by not using personal preference and instincts, rather it induces them into over reliance on online Meta Data.

The overwhelmingly  benefits of this technology outweighs the risks associated to it. This advancement will hugely benefit the learners in educational settings who are easily distracted and disengages from learning within short span of time. It will add new challengers for the users to be creative and innovative in learning. The rapid changes in technology and learners behaviour  overwhelmingly creates pressure and damands on our teaching strategies in the 21st Century.  Now the technologies such as Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) and Touch Screen seems to be obsolete and redundant compared to the SixSense technology. This gadget will create huge expectation for saving cost and time. It may also help individuals in making sound "ecological decisions" as stated by Pattie Maes in her presentation. The interactivity design features using multimedia elements will work wonders in teaching and learning profession provided adequate resources and  training is  provided.  Pattie Maes presentation uses real life examples such as shown in the video clip attached  below to justify their invention. The interactive and robust nature of this technology will make learning and teaching enjoyable, challenging and user friendly.

http://www.ted.com/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense.html

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBohrmyo-I on 6/08/2011)