Gesture Based Computing

Gesture-based computing allows users to interact in a virtual realm. Rather than simple voice or pictorial interactions, gesture-based computing allows for personal gesturing and natural human like interactions between individuals. We as a class are beginning to use this technology through developing and using avatars within Second-Life (SL). However, I think that this technology is still in its infancy as it is difficult to do activities beyond simple movement. However, applications such as SL are making significant in-roads into normalizing this technology. While there may be numerous examples of how this technology could have benefits, I also see problems with this as well.  We already see examples where kids and adults alike develop near addictions with numerous games on X-Box, WII etc.. Gesture-based applications could easily fall into this realm of "escapism" for a large number of both kids and adults. As new forms of input devices are developed that provide greater levels of interactive look and feel, the potential for abuse increases significantly.

References

Johnson, L., Adams, S., and Cummins, M. (2012).

The

NMC Horizon Report: 2012 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas:The New Media Consortium.

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