On the Movement of Queues

In Mind Hacks:  Why the other line in a queueing situation always moves faster than yours.  A good example of how perception beats out rational thought.  In my early days we worked on many industrial simulation problems that deal with this perception.  I note that this perception problem has been covered with a number of links in this blog.

Simulation Training for Gen Y

In CLO Mag:   The suggestion that simulation based training works better for generation Y,  This can be described as game-based as well.   Using interaction and sometimes score based competition to drive engagement with a simulation system.  Aimed at teaching even non physical concepts. Some good thoughts from a health care executive.  I think the point is overplayed, simulation is always a powerful approach.   He correctly points out:

" ... Simulation-based training creates safe practice environments, where mistakes are learning opportunities rather than potential disasters. A common mantra in health care is “see one, do one, teach one,” implying that once you have seen a doctor or a nurse perform a procedure and performed one yourself, you are qualified to teach the next batch of learners. It’s a clever and memorable saying. Simulation training can help improve on this knowledge transfer process by creating additional opportunities to “see and do” critical skills. ... " 

3D Interactive Playground

Had not heard much from Disney of late in the digital world.  But now an interesting play. Reminiscent of other simulation world ideas, which are usually difficult to pull off.  Now can it be used to accurately mimic real spaces?  In one experiment we built a system that combined physical touch and a system to design store spaces.   " ... Disney,a company that knows a thing or two about bringing characters off the page and into the real world, has produced a prototype of a new kind of interface that does just that.  A tiny mobile projector beams out a figure that moves around a surface embedded with invisible infrared-absorbing sensors--a book, a desktop, a game board, a table, or a wall. A camera attached to the projector tracks the figure and reads the code printed in the infrared-absorbent ink, which causes the figure to interact meaningfully with the sensed object. A projected figure can track mud from an illustration of a puddle, or jump up and down on a paper trampoline. ... "