eLCC 2015 Keynote with Dr. Robbie Melton

The eLearning Consortium of Colorado's recent 2015 annual conference provided an opportunity to hear a very entertaining and insightful luncheon keynote presented by Dr. Robbie Melton, Vice Chancellor of Mobilization and Emerging Technology with the Tennessee Board of Regents. Their department tag line is "Education on demand and in your hands."

Her talk was certainly that. The premise of was twofold. First was to understand the importance of knowing and comprehending what technologies are influencing the K-12 student that will ultimately be attending institutions of higher education. Second was the importance of experimentation with technologies. Skepticism is a good thing when it comes to the testing of technologies and the promises they provide.

This was not your typical keynote. Along with her PPT, Robbie brought an amazing assortment of gadgets, devices, apps, and assorted thing-a-ma-jigs, enough to pack two eight foot long conference tables. Some devices were referenced during her talk while others were demonstrated afterwards when audience members came forward to examine the technology devices. It was continually emphasized that all test products were met with a healthy dose of skepticism on their usefulness by testing staff during evaluation. Some examples:

MobiUS: an FDA-approved device for performing ultrasound medical scanning. Results can be sent by email or shared via USB memory stick.

PEEK (portable eye exam kit): eye testing kit for clinic or home use.

Sign4Me: sign language translator and training app. Provides signing in 3D.

BioStamp: a temporary tattoo containing a flexible circuit board for monitoring patient vital signs

Oculus Rift goggles: a headset that provides an immersive 3D, 360 degree environment.

DermoScreen cancer screening app (not yet available for purchase): app that, when held against a suspect area of the skin, will detect skin cancers at a higher success rate that a family physician, according to University of Houston testers.

Sensordrone: A variety of apps for testing air, water, breathalyzer, weather station, and other personal and environmental areas.

Rolltop portable computer: a flexible mat that, when extended, becomes a self contained computer/keyboard.

Cicret bracelet: a bracelet that projects a keyboard image onto an arm, thus turning the arm into an ultraportable computer.

Several others were discussed including

Dr. Robbie Melton demoing SmartPJs

• An app that, when accompanied with a special box, turned the box into a holographic display;
• Apps for smelling and tasting;
• A smart contact lens that monitors glucose levels using tears;
• SmartPJs, wearable pajamas for kids containing several dot pattern combinations. When a dot combination is scanned using the free app, a story appears on the smart device that can be read to the child.

And on and on. This was not only an entertaining keynote but one that emphasized the importance of keeping up with our potential student population who will come to us having been immersed in ubiquitous technology since birth. 

A key area of ID&T is the review and testing of technology. This is also a key component of the Academic Technology Committee. We are always looking for new and interesting technologies. Contact us at idt@regis.edu with your ideas.