As many of you know, Moore's Law states that computer processing speeds double in between 18 to 24 months. That prediction has actually been surprisingly accurate, and it promised rosy possibilities for using VR in schools. The sad irony is that while we now have vastly more powerful computers, we are really not significantly closer to realizing the aspirations of the VRRV project on any large scale in schools. We believe that one important reason lies in the considerable gulf between educators and those who create the software and hardware they use. The current evolutionary process of creating the next generation of technology is largely unstructured, highly competitive, and generally chaotic.
Market forces tend to drive innovation on the industrial side.
This can have a positive effect in weeding out weak solutions in favor of those with the greatest merit. Unfortunately, history shows us that market forces can often choose the strongest company, rather than consistently selecting for appropriateness, usability and efficacy. A good example of this is what has happened to Apple Computer. On the other hand, educators are certainly becoming more savvy about picking and choosing among the technological smorgasbord piled high with new offerings. Though educators are becoming more aware and more knowledgeable, we see that educators generally assume a passive role as consumers of technology, rather than active shapers of technology.