Week 3- AI & VR

On the 3^rd week of the lecture, we were introduced to the terms and the parts in a computer. We learned about the hardware, software and the components in a computer. We were also introduced to the term Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR). Artificial Intelligence is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. It is related to the similar task of using computers to understand human intelligence, but AI does not have to confine itself to methods that are biologically observable (John McCarthy, 2007). Virtual Reality is an artificial environment created with computer hardware and software and presented to the user in such a way that it appears and feels like a real environment (WEBOPEDIA).

After that, we were divided into 4 groups, my group members are Umar Fikri, Anuar and Halimah. We were asked to prepare a Power Point presentation about AI and VR. These two things were new and quite popular recently. We need to find out on how teachers can use them in teaching and learning process. My group needs to find out about Virtual Reality (VR). We googled about VR and take the related information for the presentation.

As I was doing this task, I realized the limitless potential this technology can offer to the education field. As an example, using VR, students are no longer required to find and dissect a real frog just to see its anatomy. Instead, they can just use VR to look into the anatomy of a frog without having to kill it. That’s the beauty of VR, learning about the environment without having to go out to the real places. Everything seems to be easier and “animal friendly” as we do not have to “kill” them for the name of learning. VR can also create the environment that we wish to explore. VR can manipulate 2 to 3 of our senses to make the “virtual environment” more realistic.

I also listen to my friends’ presentation about Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is a technology that can almost think for itself, it imitates the “brain” of a human and respond like one too. Sometimes when we were playing with AI, we forgot that they were only a computer program. The potential of AI are also limitless. The “brain” that can respond to human without being tired can be used simultaneously in class. There will be no human factor such as fatigue in teaching. AI can operate continuously as long as the computer can handle it. Students can play with AI for hours without being bored.

These two technologies without doubt will play an important role in education field. Teachers will use them in everyday teaching and learning process. The boundary of “the limit” will be crossed with these technologies. What more can stop learning when we can even “go” to the centre of the earth without giving a sweat about it? “Going” to the Nebula or Milky Way wont be farther than going to school. Learning would be so much fun and students would gather knowledge in more interesting way that the traditional-text-book way. I really hope that I can use these technologies in my future classroom. Teaching and learning process would be so much meaningful and enjoyable for the students and for me.