Educational Technology: Five Impressive Concepts
- Synthetic Cadavers
- Hologram Learning Tools
- Virtual Reality, Virtual Worlds
- Deep-Sea Exploration Vehicles
- Artificial Intelligence
Educational technology concepts are tools and concepts that employ the latest technology to facilitate learning of some kind. So, what are some of the most interesting, emerging forms of EdTech concepts right now? Here’s an inside look at this rapidly-evolving field of human learning.
1. Synthetic Cadavers
Cadavers have always been a very valuable yet often difficult-to-come-by commodity for new and learning medical practitioners. However, to combat this unavoidable training need without the requirement of actual, real human bodies, a revolutionary concept was born: synthetic cadavers. Synthetic cadavers are fully-functional human forms but made of highly sophisticated, synthetic materials. These bodies have full, working systems and act just as a real human body would when manipulated in virtually any way. As of their inception around 2014, they have steadily been gaining traction in much of the medical education community.
2. Hologram Learning Tools
To fulfill the very same need of training on bodies, the medical community has also put forth a new kind of hologram learning system. Essentially, actors are filmed in various positions in its making, and with the addition of plenty of technological wizardries, a virtual actor is finally created. Medical students, the end users, wear specialized headsets to see and interact with the virtual actor/body. The advantage to this method over the above-mentioned synthetic cadaver is, of course, the continuous potential for do-overs without the need for a new and rather pricey, material replacement.
3. Virtual Reality, Virtual Worlds
Similar to holographic technologies, virtual reality and entire virtual worlds also represent some of the most intriguing, new, educational technology concepts of today. Law enforcement has begun working with virtual training programs as well as pilots, surgeons, sports professionals, and even astronauts. The benefits to these learning methods are those of full immersion and all without the dangers presented by actual operations in the real field itself.
4. Deep-Sea Exploration Vehicles
CNN was one of those first to report on the emergence of the Crabster CR200. This cutting-edge exploration and learning tool is a deep-sea submersible unusually shaped like a real-life crab and loaded with the newest in measuring tools, sensors, underwater visualization gear, and more. The Crabster CR200 first debuted to the public in 2014 and has continued to provide countless learning experiences and even spawn new ideas in deep-sea submersible design.
5. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is simulated intelligence, output by programmed, computerized devices of varying sorts. While much of the world has become excited about its many implications, the learning possibilities posed by AI have garnered the attention and even subsequent efforts of many scientists and engineers today. AI has already seen incorporation in test-taking and student training areas in some schools, but it is also expected to take over much of the general teaching world as we’ve known it in coming years. AI use in the US education sector alone is expected to increase by 47.5 percent from 2017 to 2021 per Forbes contributor Bernard Marr’s research.
When it comes to learning, humanity often strives for the stars. While many of these concepts mentioned above may have seemed far-fetched years ago, they are a complete reality now. Today’s many emerging educational technology concepts are amazing, and when viewed as an indicator of tomorrow, we can certainly assume the future will be an even more amazing world of learning possibilities to look forward to as well.
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