John Underkoffler demos breathtaking computer interface

The next big leap in human-computer interface was demonstrated recently by John Underkoffler at his TED talk in February. He was one of the science advisers for the Steven Spielberg science-fiction film "Minority Report". Underkoffler suggests that in five years this technology will be built in to new computers as standard. I hope so. The demonstration is breathtaking.

How long after that can we expect this to be integrated with a virtual word or proprietary virtual reality cave? The implications for immersion into the virtual world are profound.

You can view the Spatial operating environment here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/15/john-underkoffler-ted-tal_n_612842.html

Get a second life

Last year Christian Jarrett interviewed me (and Milton) for an article in The Psychologist (The monthly magazine of the British Psychological Society) on the benefits (and dangers) of using virtual worlds in your psychological research, therapy and teaching. 

The article is available here.

Making Sense of Virtual Worlds

Recently I was lucky enough to be invited by Roskilde University to a 3-day cross disciplinary research workshop in Denmark entitled ‘Making Sense of Virtual Worlds and User Driven Innovation”. You can access the slides for my talk on problem-based learning and innovation in virtual worlds here. 

 On the final day I was thrilled to be in the real life audience for a Metanomics Mixed Reality Broadcast special where host Robert Bloomfield led a Second Life panel including Robin Teigland and Edward Castronova at the event and Tom Boellstorff in Second LIfe as they discussed the purchase of virtual islands, leasing of towns, recruiting avatar employees and more.

 Edward Castronova (Professor of Telecommunications, Indianna University)

 Robin Teigland (Associate Professor at Stockholm School of Economics)

 Tom Boellstorff (Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Irvine)

‘Making Sense of Virtual Worlds and User Driven Innovation’

I'm currently at the ‘Making Sense of Virtual Worlds and User Driven Innovation’ conference in Denmark looking at ways in which we can explore meaning and content in virtual worlds. The conference is organised by Roskilde University. My 'Pecha Kucha' presentation  'Developing Innovative Problem-based Teaching in Virtual Worlds' is available here.

Keynotes include Mia Consalvo ; Jeremy Hunsinger ; John Lester; Jay David Bolter and a guest lecture by Edward Castronova.
  
Later today we'll have a mixed reality (Real Life and Second Life) broadcast that will be streamed from the Metanomics site on New Market Dynamics (at 19.00 BST). Also streamed here.

Simon

#VWworkshop