Partner: PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts
PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts is located in Belgium and offers graduate and professional bachelor programmes in Business, Education, Healthcare, IT, Media, Tourism, Music, Social Work and Technology, and bachelor and master programmes in Arts. PXL is a mid size Flemish higher education provider, with approximately 10,000 students and 1,000 staff members. The vision of PXL is summarized as the X-factor. The X-factor integrates entrepreneurship & innovation, empathy & passion, (inter)national networking and (multi)disciplinary expertise. We want all students and employees to develop their X-factor in the best way possible. PXL University College has 7 Centres of Expertise for research & development. The centres involved in this project are PXL Smart ICT and PXL Educational Innovation. Our Centres of Expertise conduct practice-based research, organize training courses, disseminate results into practice and give advice for companies and institutions. We deliver result-oriented, qualitative work within an agreed framework.
More information can be found at this link.
PXL Educational Innovation
The Centre of Educational Innovation sets out beacons for tomorrow’s education and is committed to practice-oriented scientific research and services, that lead to real innovation in educational practices. The team is led by our head of Educational Innovation, Wouter Hustinx, and consists of … researchers. The research within this centre, focuses mainly on three fields: (1) sports and coaching, (2) language in learning and (3) learning in a digital world.
PXL Educational Innovation is mainly involved in this project, because of their expertise in design-based research (DBR), blended learning and technology enhanced learning (TEL).
PXL Smart ICT
The Centre of Expertise Smart ICT combines knowhow in soft- and hardware. The team is led by Steven Palmaers and consists of 24 researchers. Smart ICT is mainly active in 3 fields: (1) Virtual and Augmented Reality, (2) Artificial Intelligence and (3) Internet of Things. Expertise in the development of apps and web apps is also available, as well as User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design.
PXL Smart ICT is mainly involved in this project for the development of the Vivista software that allows to create enriched 360 degree videos and photos. PXL Smart ICT also maintains the project website. Colleagues involved are Simon Verbeke (Vivista developer) and Steven Palmaers (group lead).
Interest in 360 video
PXL has already been working for quite some time around the use of 360 video. In a first project “Virtual Reality in Higher Education”, the first prototype of Vivista was built. It was applied in 2 cases; “observation lesson: mathematics” and “first look at the operating theatre”. In a follow-up project “VR Learning Factory” we moved to the use of 360 video in an industry setting. A large manufacturer was interested in using Vivista for at least 2 cases: introducing new hires to the layout of the buildings, and the location of important areas. And to keep seldom used skills up to date.
Team Members: SEPA 360 Erasmus + project
Wouter Hustinx
Contact: wouter.hustinx@pxl.be
Steven Palmaers is Head of Research of the PXL Centre of Expertise Smart ICT. He coordinates the different projects, follows-up on new leads and has the general overview of all activities. Steven holds a MSc in Computer Science / Knowledge Engineering from Hasselt University and Maastricht University. Steven’s main interest is the application of emerging and enabling technologies in different domains, such as Healthcare, Education, Tourism and Sports. He is also a bit of a gadget freak.
Contact: steven.palmaers@pxl.be
Michaël Empsen is a researcher in the PXL Centre of Educational Innovation. He is currently involved in two European projects, focusing on 360° and VR on the one hand and supporting K-12 teachers in the use of technology for personalized learning on the other. Michaël holds a bachelor’s degree as teacher for primary education and a master’s degree of Science in Educational Studies. His main professional interests lie in the area of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL).
Contact: michael.empsen@pxl.be
Simon Verbeke is a researcher in applied computer science, with a focus on 3D software and VR. Simon has a lifelong fondness for computer games, leading to researching ways to apply game technology in other contexts, mainly in education.
Contact: simon.verbeke@pxl.be
Digital Champions: SEPA 360 Erasmus + project
Joachim Gregoor is a lecturer in nursing sciences and researcher at the PXL Care Innovation. He is mainly involved in research on the implementation of electronic learning within professional care institutions and he is responsible for the development of (360°) videos for the immersive room of the Trauma and life support centre within the PXL university.
Contact: joachim.gregoor@pxl.be
Ilona Stouten is lecturer in the electromechanics study programme and a researcher in the PXL Centre of Expertise Construction & Energy. She is involved in two projects, focusing on VR learning modules and AR/VR in the maintain and operate phase of buildings. Ilona holds a master’s degree of Science in electromechanics. Her main professional interests lie in the area of mechanics, BIM and VR/AR technologie in different domains.
Contact: ilona.stouten@pxl.be