The Spirituality Network Inc is a research and development firm combining machine vision functionality and innovative social networking technology capabilities into a single package, for the expressed purpose of improving distance learning, e-learning, tele-learning and online webinars. To achieve this task, TSN is making on-line training and virtual collaboration more engaging and compelling by replicating non-verbal feedback related to the rate and acceptance of information delivery in lectures, in order to make the experience of distance learning more emotionally immersive. This was accomplished with multiple innovations including: a machine-vision recognition system to determine head position, gaze direction, and facial expressions of interest or comprehension. When averaged across participants, this system will provide simple feedback related to the rate and acceptance of information delivery; a machine-vision-based hand detection system in order to read the motion and shape of hands to detect hand raising or other gestures; enabling deployable third party pedagogical applications, also known as side apps, within the framework; and integrating social functionalities to replicate pre- and post-lecture socialization, including pair-sharing, breakout groups, team teaching, and support for teaching assistance. The commercial potential of this is the significantly transformation of on-line education and on-line training. By 2018, the estimated cost of four-year public university education is expected to rise to over $150,000; while for private colleges, increases of over $300,000 are expected. To address this crisis, several colleges and startup companies have announced an increased use of on-line training. However existing systems for streaming video for lectures, and virtual group learning environments, have not advanced to the level that distance learning isn't considered to be a second-class citizen in the educational world.
