3D In The Classroom! How 3D Can Improve Education Through Engagement

I received today an enlightening email from Donald Brittain who is the CEO of Instant Effects. They specialize in 3D products and services but also have a solution for 3D education. I have long held that 3D in the classroom would capture the attention of students in a much more meaningful way than other types of media. With Brittain's team focusing on interactive models of such things as a human head / skull / muscles / brain, etc I can see how they are on to something. 3D isn't just about entertainment!

Take a look at the video clip at the end of this post for more info.

Here's what he had to say:
This short demo video shows how we have optimized our 3D content and interaction methods for classroom use. Through market validation, we found that teachers want “virtual models” that they can interact with and use as a teaching aid. This works better than traditional physical models since they tend to be small, hard to see in detail, and don’t offer the ability to animate to show internal workings and dynamic processes. Other software and media vendors have concentrated on producing either linear media (movies – very passive) or lessons optimized for one-on-one learning (useless in a classroom setting).

We are currently rolling out this education initiative in the UK through a JV with White Space Productions. The JV is called “3D Hub” – see www.3d-hub.co.uk

After this is up and running smoothly, we intend to partner with other companies to address the US and Asian markets, and to broaden our approach to include additional forms of interactive learning and presentation.

In addition to the advantages of using 3D media touted by TI (see, for example, http://www.dlp.com/projector/markets/education/teacher.aspx), our approach also allows:
- Uniformity of curriculum material and presentation method (by using the same virtual models throughout a state/region/country)

- Ability to quickly update material throughout all schools (since all assets are digital, as opposed to physical models and books, etc)

- Lower upfront and ongoing costs (start with 2D projection of the 3D models, phase in stereo 3D when budgets allow)

- Higher level of engagement (interactive media is substantially more attractive to students than static pictures or passive movies, and stereo 3D enhances this)

Check out the video:



What do you think? I know I would have soaked this stuff up as a child in school! All the power to these guys. Hope it's successful and you can bring it across the pond too.