Rienkje Postma of ROC Friese Poort Sneek, Jan Molenaar of ESDAL College in Emmen and Feike Vermaning of AMS in Franeker first hear a story from innovation manager Anne Gerben Terpstra of PerkinElmer. He explains how farmers can use data analysis to determine the health of their cows. ’’This is not only good for the welfare of the animals, the quality of dairy products goes up and farmers also save money because cows live healthier lives for longer.’’ This is followed by a lecture by director and owner of YP Your Partner, Theun Prins: ’’Using augmented reality shows how we will work together in the future. After all, seeing is believing and not just on videos''. The teachers see examples of how data can add all kinds of useful, but also fun, aspects to reality. Prins: ,,Direct interaction with data, that's what we want. That is now possible with the Hololens. The technology is still in its infancy, but it has great potential''.
Step further
Molenaar, a physics and math teacher, is enthusiastic about the Hololens. ’’But what use is this to me, retiring in a year? This is for young people! Prins explains with an example that augmented reality is also interesting for him. The IKEA catalog will soon no longer arrive in your mailbox, but with special glasses and an Internet connection you can simply furnish your own living room at home with furniture you have chosen yourself.’’ That idea sets Molenaar thinking. ’’I used to teach physics in a boring way. Nowadays I can already visualize a lot, but with the Hololens you can take it one step further. That makes teaching more fun and students experience the subject matter.''
Development team
The teachers find the afternoon useful. Together with others, they form a so-called teacher development team, or DOT for short. They cover all kinds of topics, including getting yourself well informed about what is going on in the companies. Vermaning, math, physics and chemistry teacher: ,,Some colleagues don't leave school for 40 years. With special programs, we encourage them to shine their light on the companies where our students will work after their studies. And only when you know what's going on can you properly advise students in their choice of study.’’