© irene waters 2015
Today as I stood outside the engineering department of the University of the Sunshine Coast and admired the reclaimed land, the kangaroos that were clearly quite relaxed on campus I had no idea of the technological advances that I was about to see. I had thought I was reasonably up to date but in fact I too am a dinosaur.
© irene waters 2015
This visualisation facility (sorry for the poor quality photos) contains a 2D/3D cave where the student gets an experience like no other. There are only four of these in the world, this is the biggest with 20 panels, and USC are the only facility which is using it for teaching. Total cost 37.2 million dollars.
© irene waters 2015
Only 15 people are allowed inside at the one time and if you suffer from vertigo or epilepsy the area is off-limits. We stood in the middle surrounded by the 20 screens. Initially we saw 2D images. The quality and definition were amazing. Different screens could be shown at the same time allowing students to return to a screen, unlike seeing the slide for a short time and then its gone. Then we put on our three D glasses and found ourselves whisked off to Cameroon where we drove through the village, inspected inside their houses, visited the market and toilet arrangements. This gives the student the experience of being there and they can gain greater understanding of the limitations of their projects, see what really needs attention and so much more.
© irene waters 2015
Then a water pump was displayed. It was floating in front of me in the middle of the room. I felt I could reach out and touch it. By turning the object the student could really look inside it and see how it worked. I could see that surgery could be learnt under these circumstances. In another section of the faculty which we didn’t have time to visit a smaller display allowed touch interaction. To me it was mind-boggling and the value to the student must be tremendous.
© irene waters 2015
The back of a couple of the panels.
© irene waters 2015
Next I went to the interactive lab where visualisation using 3D and virtual reality allows the wearer to interact in a way that is powerful and would enhance learning as you could manipulate, become immersed in and try concepts that are purely in your imagination. Here they can become real. My nephews would have loved it. I put on the goggles and whilst stationary I walked around the outside of a building. wherever I looked I walked. It was terrifying as I had to stop myself from falling off a cliff. I certainly became quite disoriented as I tried to save myself from various scenarios.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
The 3D printer was in this room as well and was churning out little artistic vases that a group of school children had designed. Just amazing.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
Life is much different. The scope is huge. I think I’m lucky just to get a glimpse of it. I’m also pleased that higher education has gone from teacher centred to student centred. Gone are those days of 400 students in a lecture theatre. No hope of asking questions but with fifteen. What individualised learning that must provide.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Just WOW!!! What an amazing experience. Truly 21st century possibilities.
I’ve had several experiences with 3-D travel and loved them, but this goes far beyond.
This might take you a while to process.
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I agree Sharon. I just wish I could be young again and have all these possibilities open. I’m sure that it would enhance learning so much. I guess though with every positive there are the drawbacks to – just struggling to find what they might be.
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Awesome! How amazing, Irene. You are a braver woman than I. I’m not sure they’d (or I’d) let me in, though I ‘d love to have a look. How amazing that Australia has the biggest in the world, and at USC. What a feather in their cap! Lovely to see the kangaroos alongside the space age technology. As you say, a fantastic opportunity for learning. My mind boggles.
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There were also a busload of primary aged children visiting the interractive learning centre and were doing activities on the grass outside whilst we were in there. I think that it is great that the university is prepared to open its doors to young and old (I was on a U3A tour) and probably the community generally. It’ll certainly give the young folk dreams to aspire to and us oldies an understanding of the way technology is taking us. They are also the only accredited eco university in Australia with their own recycling facilities and they have a lot of researchers working on sustainability and the wetlands that are behind the kangaroos. They plan on making it into a public space in the years to come but with a lot of research going into it. You can probably tell I was impressed.
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And you have passed that on to me. Sounds amazing. I’ll have to find out more about it, and possibly visit it myself one day! 🙂
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LOL. Yes its worth a vist if you can get there.
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My mind is blown! I had no idea of this technology. I was excited to see kangaroos on the front lawn and had no idea you were going to show me something even more spectacular!
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Yes it is amazing stuff.
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