Bilal: I spent the beginning portion of the week researching the legitimacy and potential of the FOVE as well as its limitations. I completed the pollinator grant proposal and sent it in for review. On Tuesday, Jason and I met to discuss further logistics for his class visit to LATIS and what his expectations are for his students. For the remainder of the week, I am going to continue focusing on research regarding eye-tracking technology and its potential in writing studies and also how difficult it would be to develop an app or conceptualize an app for the FOVE.
Laura: This week I’ve been researching Google Daydream for our LATIS Pollinator proposals. I decided that Daydream is worth writing a grant for, so I wrote the proposal and am excited to hear what LATIS thinks about it. Besides the Pollinator Project, Ann and I discussed the importance of code literacy a lot at our Monday meeting, and I’ve been looking into the code behind wearables and into where exactly all the data collected from wearables goes. I’ve found that it’s pretty difficult to find a lot of information on what the code behind different wearable technologies is, as well as where exactly all the data goes. I’m thinking about looking more specifically into Google Cardboard and where data from Cardboard goes for one of my upcoming projects in my Writing on Issues of Science and Technology class, and will continue to report on this topic in the coming weeks.
Xander: I worked further with the Theta 360 Camera to help visualize group dynamics and how to effectively communicate in a healthy way. It was interesting to see how students reacted to the camera and their concerns of being recorded. I would most likely act differently in front of a camera, but these meetings felt genuine and on task, while still being casual conversations similar to what any student group would do. There were many questions about the camera, like how it actually works, or where it records. Most students didn't fully understand where to stand or take full advantage of its 360 video. Overall the camera seems to do what is intended, and I am excited to see how the meetings reflect on a healthy environment for success.
Nathan: Last week I spent a lot of time generating ideas for possible wearable tech that we could get through the LATIS Pollinator Project. I wanted to try to see if the audio focused wearable technology from a company called Woojer could be impactful to our work. The idea of this wearable is that it is a vest, that vibrates with the sound around you. Whether through music or through a virtual reality program. I ended up tossing that idea because I don’t think it would have enough relevance for our group in education and pedagogy. Firstly because the vest technology is meant to be used with higher end VR which is really hard to have students and teachers get access to. Secondly, because it probably does not add too much to the experience of VR. I am continuing to attempt to find new wearables that would be worthwhile.