Pearson Pilots Mixed Reality Educational Resources
Pearson is developing and piloting mixed reality content for use in K-12 and higher education.
Mixed
reality combines virtual reality technology that immerses the user in a
simulated environment with augmented reality technology that overlays
digital information onto the real world. "Mixed reality merges the
virtual and physical worlds to create a new reality whereby the two can
coexist and interact," stated a news release from Pearson.
The company has partnered with Microsoft to develop mixed reality educational content using the Microsoft HoloLens,
a self-contained holographic computer. The companies envision a wide
range of applications for mixed reality content, including online
tutoring and coaching, nursing education, engineering education and
construction training. "HoloLens gives students access to things they
may never be able to see in real life — historical artifacts, natural
history, hands on training and a connection to the broader world,"
said Lorraine Bardeen, general manager for Microsoft Windows and
HoloLens Experiences, in a prepared statement.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and San Diego State University have been piloting Pearson's mixed reality content for nursing
education. Pearson is using Microsoft's holographic video capture
technology to film actors portraying patients with various health
concerns. Pearson will then convert the video into three-dimensional
images that nursing students can view through the HoloLens as they
participate in simulations.
Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania is piloting Microsoft's Skype for HoloLens software with Pearson's Smarthinking online tutoring service. The college is also experimenting with mixed
reality to let students explore three-dimensional content and concepts
in physics, biology and archaeology classes.
Pearson is also working with teachers at Canberra Grammar School in Australia to develop mixed reality content for use in classrooms. The University of Canberra is collaborating on the project to measure the effect of mixed reality content on teaching and learning.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].