The US EdTech conference season kicks off each year with strong events in Florida and Texas. So I found myself at the TCEA 2015 conference in Austin (early February), once again trend hunting from an educator’s perspective. Besides presenting at the huge TCEA conference, I also spent considerable time traversing the exhibit halls. Since this conference helps set the tone and previews what’s coming for educational technology in the U.S., it’s useful to share some observations related to the 3D and display technologies presence.
More than 9,148 educators, along with more than 2,914 exhibitors (representing 477 exhibiting companies) attended TCEA 2015 in Austin this year. Despite the uncommonly cold weather, the convention center venue was bristling with activity. Here are some of the most important gleanings:
- One of the most impressive 3D displays greeted me – not at the convention center – but at the Austin airport. Near the famous standing guitars (at the baggage claim area), directly opposite the statue of Barbara Jordan, I discovered a striking autostereoscopic display. If you follow Barbara Jordan’s frozen gaze upwards, one will find three large mounted autostereoscopic displays (probably lenticular), each conveying a part of the “Texas” experience.
The single most striking display messaged the importance of technology in the Texas economy. While the other autostereoscopic displays ranged from lackluster to average, the 3D effect of the technology-themed display was riveting, leaping out of the screen. You’ve got to see this one for yourself, the next time you find yourself in Austin.
- This was one of the weaker years for 3D presence in the conference session offerings, with only three sessions focused on the 3D meme. The Maker Movement theme appeared to be the most dominant theme of the conference.
- I conducted my 4th annual hands-on 3D workshop at TCEA to a packed audience, an enthusiastic group of K-16 educators. Interest was stellar, as usual, and minds were racing with the possibilities.
- The 3D presence in the exhibit hall was weaker than previous years, with only three 3D-related exhibitors. (Of course, I am not counting any sessions on 3D printing.) Large crowds, however, whirled busily around two zSpace booths.
The HP Sprout consumer and education market solution
- The most interesting new showing in the exhibit hall was HP’s new Sprout. Sprout is a next-generation 3D scanning and design station for home and school markets. Here is a promotional video that clarifies this HP solution:
And here is my own home-spun video of Sprout in action on the exhibit hall floor:
Sprout looks like a very promising workstation for schools, but sadly, HP had it hidden away in its booth, not at all in the featured position it deserves. (I am always astonished at how manufacturers are so good at hiding good news.)
On a non-3D note
- The Great Recession is definitely over in US schools, especially in Texas. Schools are starting to get some reasonable funding, which is becoming positive after years of budgets cuts.
- The TCEA conference markedly showed the same glaring absence of the interactive white board’s (IWB) presence, echoing the same drought seen a month earlier at FETC 2015. Most of the solutions that were present were recessed away, co-located in partner booths. The switch to flat panels is definitely a trend.
- Similar to what we saw at FETC, the number of booths exhibiting large flat panel display solutions greatly outnumbered the instructional projector booths. Perhaps another trend? I don’t think so, and in a future article, I will explain why.
Analyst Comment
I wouldn’t be too worried about the trajectory of 3D evidenced by its footprint at this conference. School folks are just preoccupied with other priorities these days. Plus I know that 3D is featured in some upcoming national technology reports, reports of deep significance. It’s time will come. – Len Scrogan
