The Opening Ceremony of Microsoft Future Library

Date: 08/06/2023

Unlocking the future of reading:

Microsoft Future Library launches with immersive and interactive experiences

 

  

The Microsoft Future Library was officially unveiled on Saturday, April 29th, 2023. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed guests Mr Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer of Microsoft Hong Kong Limited, Dr Yat Yau, Executive Director of the Academy of Chinese Studies and Mr Po Wa Yan, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Information Technology Education) of the Education Bureau's Education Infrastructure Division of the Curriculum and Quality Assurance Branch. Their speeches and participation in the ribbon-cutting ceremony added to the grandeur of the event, underscoring the importance of this initiative.

 

  

Made possible by the generous support of Microsoft Hong Kong, the state-of-the-art library is Hong Kong's first Microsoft Future Library. The library embodies the spirit of ‘AI for Good’, showcasing the incredible potential of AI technology in providing an immersive and interactive reading experience.

  

  

The inauguration ceremony featured two exhibitions and four experiential activities, all of which showcased the library's innovative features and capabilities in offering an efficient and engaging learning experience for all. The details of the exhibitions and activities are as follows.

  

 

Exhibitions

 

 

Unveiling the Splendorous Imperial Palace:

 

A Journey through Time, Minecraft Exhibition Hall 

 

 

This exhibition showcased the Hong Kong Palace Museum constructed in Minecraft by secondary 5 students during their Values Education course. Virtual characters were transformed into assistants, guiding users on a journey through ancient and modern times to appreciate the artefacts and gain a deeper understanding of the life of the emperors. The exhibit also incorporated the ‘100 Questions About the Palace Museum’ designed by the Academy of Chinese Studies, promoting interaction.

 

 

 

Reimagining our Chinese Heroes – A collection of outstanding designs  

 

 

The exhibition displayed the interdisciplinary learning achievements of our Secondary 2 students, which encompassed a variety of subjects such as Chinese Language, Chinese History, Music, Visual Arts, Home Economics, and Design and Technology. The students’ works featured outfits designed for different characters, celebrating the contributions and virtues of Chinese heroes.

 

Experiential activities

 

OpenAI for Microsoft Future Library – Unleashing the power of an Intelligent Library System 

 

 

This activity presented the Open AI ChatGPT system developed by our school for the library. It utilizes artificial intelligence technology to enhance the reading experience and improve reading efficiency.

 

 

Discovering the Great Wall – Preserving our cultural legacy with cutting-edge digital preservation technology

         

 

Utilizing digital technology, users could experience the restoration process of the Great Wall, including archaeological exploration, cleaning, bricklaying, jointing, brick wall repairing and reinforcement, by assuming the role of a repairer of the Great Wall online. The experience allowed users to enhance their knowledge in science and technology.

 

 

Navigating the Reading Metaverse – Transcending the pages to famous scenes of Yue Fei 

 

 

With Virtual Reality glasses, users were immediately transported to the metaverse. By choosing virtual characters, users could enter famous historical scenes related to Yue Fei, and read texts while visiting exhibitions or demonstrations

 

 

Microsoft HoloLens 2:

 An immersive reading experience – Engaging in mixed reality through eye and hand tracking  

 

 

Users immersed themselves in a Mixed Reality environment using Microsoft HoloLens 2. By wearing the device and using eye and hand tracking, users controlled their reading materials using gestures, such as scrolling through pages, adjusting font sizes, selecting links, and more.

 

 

The Microsoft Future Library is set to become a beacon for innovation and a testament to the potential of technology in education. With its unique blend of advanced technology and immersive learning experiences, it is poised to revolutionize the way students engage with reading and knowledge acquisition.

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