Introduction to Augmented Reality within the Classroom
For teachers who’ve at all times wanted to make use of augmented reality within the classroom, but haven’t had the possibility to explore it, there are various resources available to start. Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes digital images on top of a view of the true world through a smartphone or other mobile device. Author, speaker, and edtech consultant Jaime Donally has some suggestions for teachers who need to integrate augmented reality into their lessons.
Benefits of Augmented Reality in Education
Donally believes that it’s essential for teachers to integrate augmented reality into their lessons, because it is a component of their students’ future. She shared several apps that work well within the classroom, ranging in sophistication, but all of which will be utilized by educators with no coding skills needed.
Augmented Reality Apps for the Classroom
Some of the apps that Donally recommends include:
- Curiscope: Using a special T-shirt called the Virtuali-Tee and the corporate’s app, students can take an in-depth take a look at the human body and explore its systems.
- Experience Real History (ERH): This app uses cards and “reality boards” to lend students historical insights, starting with the Alamo in 1836.
- Catchy Words AR: This app allows kids to walk around and “catch letters” to rearrange into words, which is particularly helpful for youths fighting spelling.
- 3DBear: This program allows students and educators to create their very own AR experiences by overlaying 3D models on top of views of the true world.
- Metaverse: This app allows users to develop experiences on storyboards that they’ll share with one another, and has been used to create quizzes, scavenger hunts, and more.
- Cospaces: This AR creation app has basic and pro levels that allow educators to create lessons across subjects and grade levels.
- Orb: This app lets kids construct on top of the true world as in the event that they are set-dressing a stage, and share their creations with others.
- Merge VR: This technology uses headsets and a special MERGE cube to develop and deliver AR experiences for ages 10 and up.
- World Brush: Users can draw on the true world and share their creations with others.
- MoatBoat: This app allows students and teachers to type or speak instructions, and the app will try to create it.
About the Presenter
Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast who began her profession as a math teacher and later moved into instructional technology. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant and has launched Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community.
Join the Community
Computer Science & STEM Learning is a free skilled learning community on edWeb.net that gives PreK-12 educators with a spot to collaborate on incorporating computer science, coding, robotics, and STEM learning into their classrooms. The edWeb webinar referenced above, sponsored by 3DBear Inc., will be found on their website.
Conclusion
Augmented reality is a robust tool that may enhance the training experience for college kids. With the numerous apps available, teachers can easily integrate augmented reality into their lessons, no matter their level of technical expertise. By doing so, they’ll provide their students with a more engaging and interactive learning experience that prepares them for the long run. As Donally said, “That’s our students’ future,” and it’s essential for teachers to be a component of it.