Computer science and software engineering students at Kearney High School were able to experience what may be the future of mobile computer technology on Oct. 23 with a demonstration of Google Glass.
The wearable computing device, similar in design to eyeglass frames, features a hands-free screen display capable of recording video, taking pictures, sending messages and accessing the Internet. The screen, which displays slightly above the direct eyesight of the wearer, is designed to appear like a 25-inch high-definition screen viewed from eight feet away.
Darrin Clawson, CEO of Engage Mobile, provided the local Project Lead the Way class with the preview of the tech giant’s device. The Kansas City-based application developer and mobile marketing company is one of nine metro companies to have been given access to a Google Glass model through the Google Glass Explorer program.
“This is just the first cut of what wearable computing could look like,” Clawson told the class. “What we need now is for people to build apps for this thing.”
Clawson said there are 8,000 Google Glass models that have been distributed to tech companies and select members of the public to test and develop applications for when the device goes on sale to the general public. The CEO brought his model to share with the class, demonstrating its features and allowing students to try it on.
“I’ve been following this device for a year,” junior Benjamin Barnes said. “It’s surreal to see it.”
For other students, the demonstration was their first introduction to Google Glass.
“I didn’t know much about them before, but it was cool to see in person,” junior Alex Krummel said.
Computer science and software engineering instructor Mary Howard said the demonstration directly connected to the course curriculum.
“The students just finished developing apps themselves,” she said. “This will really help light a fire under them and help them realize there’s great companies here in Kansas City to work for.”
Kearney High School is one of 60 schools in the country piloting the Project Lead the Way computer science and software engineering course this fall.
“We cover everything from app development to creating things for the Web,” Howard said. “We’ve used some tools like App Inventor and Python, which is a huge gaming language. We’ve also built Web crawlers and things like that.”
Students said the opportunity to try Google Glass helped illustrate their course work in a physical form.
“We have been doing our own programming,” junior Julie Stroba said. “Seeing this shows you that what you’re doing in class will make a difference later on. It is something you will be able to use in the real world.”
County and Education Editor Ryne Dittmer can be reached at 389-6606 or ryne.dittmer@npgco.com.
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