Research Summary

The Emerging Technologies Team explores new technologies – enabling these technologies to work in existing environments and discovering how disparate populations use or accept new technologies.

The team is constantly testing the newest Virtual Worlds and Games in the Emerging Technology Collaboration Center (ETCC) with the help of its research partners. With a constantly evolving supply of games, consoles, PCs, virtual world platforms, and other experimental technology, the team monitors the constantly changing technology landscape.

Because of ADL’s role within the Department of Defense, the Emerging Technologies Team is dedicated to looking for ways to get new technologies approved on DoD networks. It also explores innovative ways to utilize platforms that are already accessible to DoD personnel through common desktop platforms, such as 3D web applications, frame throwing technologies, and lightweight web-based gaming technologies.

In an effort to ensure that users are getting the technologies they need as well as the technologies they want to use, the team works closely with ADL’s Adaptive Training Team to explore user preferences for games, as well as issues related to introducing established technologies into existing social circles.

The ADL Emerging Technologies Team is involved in many efforts. Make sure to check out the “Learn More” tab for presentations, videos, and links.

Serious Games Showcase & Challenge

Going into its sixth year, the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge has emerged as a premier outlet to demonstrate the newest technologies available to the DoD. Held annually at the I/ITSEC conference, the Showcase continues to bring fresh ideas into the world of serious games through a competitive award process. This year, the Challenge will present a special OSD-sponsored award for adaptability.

Social Media / Gamification

The Emerging Technologies Team is researching the effects of gamification and social media in learning. This includes experimenting with game portals for content as well as applying achievement models to learning management systems and similar activities. The team is collaborating with the ADL Technical Team in reviewing applicable social media platforms and what information can be applied to learning.