Hey, remember last week when we published that article about how Snapchat is all growns up now? Well guess what: not only has Snapchat blown past puberty (as have many of its users), but it’s getting ready to graduate from medical school–all thanks to Snapchat Spectacles. Yup, those goofy-ass glasses that record 10 second videos for easy upload to your Snapchat account.
Dr. Shafi Ahmed is a surgeon at the London Independent Hospital, and on December 9th, 2016, he had to repair a hernia. Ahmed also had to provide step-by-step visibility into the surgery for a number of medical students. This time, instead of using a 360 degree 4K camera–like the setup he used back in April when he got all fancy-schmancy while removing a colon tumour–he just slipped on a pair of Snapchat spectacles and had one of his assistants manning the recording and the uploading (one click each). Ahmed just sliced and diced while providing commentary throughout the series of 10 second clips. About 200 medical students followed the surgery as it occurred.
According to Ahmed, the 10-second clip limitation was quite effective in helping him reconsider and refine how he teaches students during procedures. “It’s like you’re presenting a recipe,” he told Time. “You’re training people in a structured way…The Snapchat platform is really interesting because it mimics who we are. It thinks on a 24-hour, short-term basis, and we, as individuals, work in short-term basis.”
Next up: A “Courtroom Sketch Art” filter on Instagram and #DeliveryRoom trending on Facebook Live.
According to Ahmed, both the device and the medium were a hit; in the next few weeks, he will publish the “results” of the Snapchat tutorial trial, but regardless of those results, expects to continue using Spectacles regularly going forward.
Enjoy the video:
SnapMunk
This is a great learning tool. It is nice to see old school people using new school technology to bring learning to the younger crowd.
I wonder what was the discussion that was happening when someone came up with this idea. Its a good idea, but I would love to see a 4K version in 360.
Very nice! 360 degrees in 4K is more appealing than a bunch of 10-second clips though, right? I guess it was an easier upload and could be done so live, so that is a bonus.
I was thinking the same thing. There has to be a better way to get the content to the students than using Snapchat.
I think I would have also liked this option! 360 video is really starting to makes its rounds and if you can do it in 4K, it will look much better and more like you are standing in the room.
I can see how these might help with training, but how are they any different to what you can get with any other camera attached to your head?