Finding the Tools for Success

To be successful in any engineering or science major you need to know how to ask for help. Asking for help is something everyone should embrace. The tools some teachers provide to students is lacking and additional assistance is needed. As a computer science major, I have found this especially true. I often seek outside help to answer questions when I am unable to answer the question myself.

In my experience, I have found YouTube to be an extremely useful free resource for understanding basic concepts. YouTube is like a tool box and each video is like a tool. All you have to do is find the video that suits your learning style. I have learned multiple programming languages by doing this. I was recently contracted to build a website for a local school. I have never done any website related programming so I searched YouTube for help. I discovered a channel dedicated to teaching HTML and CSS and within a week I had the skills I needed to design a website.

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I tend to avoid asking others for help unless I know I desperately need help. Seeking help from others has benefited me in a few projects but I have found it’s not a reliable way to find solutions. There is always a chance the person might be busy or simply might not know the answer at all. This could be because I don't have the right connections, so I do expect this to change in the future as I meet more experienced programmers.

Tools are always changing and getting better. Competition has made these tools more useful and most importantly affordable. As more and more people turn to YouTube to learn, websites that specialize in teaching are forced to improve the quality of their lectures to stay competitive. In the end, it is a big win for any student.

References 

(2009, Dec 29). 3 Benefits to Using YouTube in your E-Learning. http://blog.integratedlearningservices.com/2009/12/3-benefits-to-using-youtube-in-your-e.html

Virtual Reality: Gimmick or the Future?

Virtual reality is an upcoming technology that has an uncertain fate. Virtual reality is basically a computer simulated environment projected to a person. The appeal of a virtual reality device is out there, but whether it will take off will be up to consumers and industry. Will it go down the same path as 3D TV technology? Or will it become the next big thing?

One of the projected uses of virtual reality is gaming. The depth can add to a video game is unmatched by any other technology today. The biggest appeal of virtual reality gaming headsets is the realism and immersion it provides the gamer. The future of virtual reality in this industry will rely on how consumers embrace it.   

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norwegian-army-trials-oculus-rift-to-drive-tanks/

It also has the potential to be used in industries outside the consumer market. The Norwegian army for example, is currently testing tanks equipped with virtual reality devices. These vehicles are equipped with four different cameras, each pointing in a different direction to allow for a 360 degree view angle. The cameras then feed information to the virtual reality headset allowing the user to see exactly what is going on outside without the risk of being outside. 

I think virtual reality has a future in our technology driven world. There are many industries such as the arms industry where this technology can flourish. Even if it does not take off in the gaming industry, it will eventually find its own niche. Virtual reality has almost limitless growth. There are many ways to simulate a virtual reality experience, but we are limited to our current technology. It might even be possible to create virtual reality through neural stimulation. As technology advances, so will the success of virtual reality.

References

Starr, M. (2014, May 6). Norwegian army trails Oculus Rift to drive tanks. Retrieved from http://www.cnet.com/news/norwegian-army-trials-oculus-rift-to-drive-tanks/