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Virtual Reality

Another interesting topic is the current move towards virtual reality.

Years ago when I was teaching at Otago University we used QuickTIme Virtual Reality to create panoramas. We took 360 photos and stitched them together to make the VR movie. We inserted hotspots so users could look around a room/environment and then jump through to another. This was part of a Usability course and I took it further with my masters and looked at whether this technology would benefit all types of learners.

Now 17 years later we’re looking at it again!

Exciting times ahead….

 

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Spaced learning

I’ve been working on an interesting project lately. No whizzy bang stuff though. Instead it’s a project that incorporates spaced learning. Learners go through a training session (could be online or facilitated) and a few days later they receive an email with a quick game (gets them interested!) and then they work through 3 ‘quick fire’ reinforcement questions. This particular project has been on leadership models (Skill Will, VUCA, GROW, Iceberg etc.) but it could be any topic.

It’s good to see this type of learning out there. Too often learners go through an online module, they get ticked off (for compliance reasons) and that’s it.

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Visit to Christchurch

Another trip to Christchurch. This time I went to EPIC (Enterprise Precinct Innovation Centre) which is housed in a large purpose built warehouse – and full of high-tech entrepreneurs including 2 elearning companies and several game developers. Now this would be an amazing place to work – just motivated people who want to spend time at work. Their vision – ‘With the help of both our partners and tenants EPIC has transformed from a creative post-earthquake shelter to a buzzing hive of collaborative energy and innovation’.  Although some of these companies are competitors they end up collaborating and helping each other. Had a go at walking through the universe – compliments of the virtual reality headset – all good until the ground disappeared beneath me and I was somehow lost in space!

Once back on earth I went to Spectrum – a street art festival held in the YMCA. Invited artists (both local and international) were asked to produce artworks on the walls. When you walk through the rooms you see the artwork from different perspectives – some of it only makes sense when you see the entire work.

And of course still a lot of great street art.  A very creative city.

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Christmas time again…

Well it’s certainly been an interesting year. Worked full time for a while but now back contracting full time and loving it. Had an interesting contract recently which involved visiting the Fire School in Rotorua – and luckily we were there when an assessment was on so we saw the firefighters in action. Not that all my contracts are like that…..

Went to a few L&D events this year – Top 10 authoring tools of 2014, Creating whiteboard video in videoscribe, elearnz conference in Oct, elearning showcase in Nov – and to L&D presentations by Beca, SkyCity and F&P Healthcare. All good.

Looking forward to 2016. I have some very nice clients and I’m sure there’ll be some very interesting projects from them.

Merry Christmas to you all.

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Giant Poppy Project

Helped out as a POPPYTEER on an art installation project. 59,000 steel discs were laid in a poppy shape representing all those who died or were wounded in WW1. Had a great day – my job was to show people what to do but I spent a lot of time just chatting to them about their personal stories.  Later that night I watched the Gallipoli movie which was projected onto the War Museum building.

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Giraffes on the run

Christchurch has been inundated with giraffes. Giant fibreglass giraffe sculptures, 2.5 metres high, have been scattered round the streets and parks of Christchurch. They will be auctioned off in February with the money going to local charities.  I spent a week in Christchurch and managed to see about 50![metaslider id=308]