ChromeCast - the reverse Second Screen Experience: Perfect for small learning groups?

The buzz created by Chromecast has been so "loud" that is appears to have caught Google by surprise; the device having been sold out at multiple sites (BestBuy, Amazon) and the 3 month NetFlix offer taken down within the first few hours.

A lot has been written about Chromecast, highlighting its features and comparing it to AppleTV and Roku.

The key point about Chromecast is that it is an affordable platform agnostic "Reverse Second Screen" device. What is a reverse second screen device?
Lets see what a second screen device is first.

From http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/16/tvsync-api-smart-tv-second-screen-apps/

Mashable defines second screen as

"Second Screen is the use of an additional monitor (e.g. tablet, smartphone) while watching television. It allows the audience to interact with what they’re consuming whether it’s a TV show, video game or movie."  

Thus a TV channel wanting the audience to interact with a TV show would get them to go to a web site with a smartphone or tablet and respond to polls during the show.  The key fact is that the process is initiated from the TV screen and the challenge is to get the watcher to go through the required steps on their second screen (phone/tablet/laptop).  This can be achieved by a audio or visual announcement or a QR code.

Chromecast enables the reverse process and makes it seamless.
The user starts at the smart mobile device and then extends the experience from a small to a large (TV) screen.  Make that from multiple small screens to a large TV screen.

From http://www.real.com/resources/social-television

The trend in education is to use small collaborative learning groups and not large group lectures.
Chromecast can be the prefect way to share each learner and faculty's screen on large TV screens on the wall.  As more and more content is stored in the cloud and is accessed via smart mobile devices, this would be a perfect accessory for education institutions.

From: www.kmu.edu.tw 

Scientists can implant false memories into mice - Getting close to the heart of Constructivism

From http://www.thesnitch.co.uk

BBC News - Scientists can implant false memories into mice

Via bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23447600 

Amazing research on the frailty of memory and how we can be convinced something is true even though it is not.  Research like this can explain the case of how a woman believed she was raped by a person who actually she had been watching on TV when she was raped.


If we can implant memories, maybe someday we will understand how to optimize learning?  We are getting close to the heart of constructivism - how with every new event, we learn by building upon prior experiences.

'via Blog this'

Inside Microsoft's House Of The Future - Ideas for collaborative education spaces

Just read this post on Business Insider.
A concept place for the using technology in the future.  Has tons of ideas for use in designing collaborative education workspaces.

Inside Microsoft's House Of The Future - Business Insider:

3D printing with Air Gestures

'via Blog this'

Truly Interactive Whiteboards

Technology and Medical Education: An Opportunity to Dream BIG!

Recently the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic announced that they will partner to build a new medical education building.

One of the 13 committees formed to come up with ideas for the new building is the Information Technology/Global Connectivity Committee.  The committee is looking for ideas and suggestion for designing a building that will support the medical education needs of the future.

What would a medical education building of the future look like in your dreams? Would love to hear from you!