Augmented Reality Classroom Integration

As many of you, I was first introduced to AR in 2016 by the PokemonGo. After spending a summer traveling around Europe catching Pokemon, I began to reflect on the technology and wrote a blog post about it. Truth be told, AR hasn't been something I think about much since. Until now.

Recently, I attended a series Apple workshops with Paul Hamilton. These workshops were engaging, interactive and very inspiring. I learned so much, and AR has rekindled my interest.

I have had the opportunity to incorporate AR into my lessons since those workshops. These experiences are mine to share, but I will start by sharing some general information.

AR (virtual reality) is often misunderstood with AR. VR allows users to experience a completely new environment through a virtual simulation. There is no connection to the real world with VR. AR adds digital layers and physical environments to enhance real world.

The technology must first detect a physical surface before overlaying digital content. This is called the anchor. Certain surfaces are better than others for anchoring. Glossy classroom desks don't work well. Put some paper on the surface that your device is having trouble detecting. You can remove the paper later, but it helps to retain the anchor point.

These are some ideas I've tried to integrate AR into classrooms. Be aware that this technology is only the beginning and I am just scratching the surface of all possibilities.

NASA Perseverance 3D Model

My students were learning about technology and exploration. It's an exciting time in space exploration with the landing of Perseverance Rover on Mars (February 20, 2021). But it's still far away. While videos and pictures are great, this 3D model was a complete representation of the spacecraft. Perseverance was viewed from many angles by students, which sparked lots of questions. Click here to download the Perseverance 3D Model. It works with other devices but I don't know how. The USDZ file is saved on the Files app on the iPhone and iPad. The file can then be opened using AR.

AR Makr

This app is a lot of fun and provides a lot creative possibilities. The app is simple enough to be used by even the youngest students. AR Makr allows users to create their own scenes, or choose from one of the pre-made templates (Mythical Creatures, Space Mission etc.). Each template includes ready-made objects students can use to place in the real world using AR. You can create and import 2D or 3-D elements from scratch. My students were about to begin a unit on fairy tales. To create scenes from the story, they used the Three Little Pigs starter templates. Students continued creating at home and adding physical elements such as LEGO houses or pets to their scenes. It was hugely popular! AR Makr can only be accessed on iPad.

Reality Creator

This app is more suitable for students in the upper primary and second grades, so I haven’t used it with Year Three. It's fun to play with, though. Reality Composer allows users to create 3D interactive objects and scenes. These objects can then be viewed in AR. You can modify the style, material, and other properties of 3D elements to change how they interact. The Behaviors pane allows users to determine how objects react to different triggers. The tweet below shows how the rocket launches when it is tapped. You can also see how the spatial audio becomes quieter as the rocket moves further away. Reality Composer is a great tool for creating! I could spend hours creating! There is so much to be learned!

Virtuali–Tee

Students who are interested in learning about body systems will love the Virtuali­Tee from Curiscope. They can see what is usually hidden. The app is free to download and you can point the camera at the special shirt to see the human body come alive! It also has AR capabilities and interactive elements. There is informative narration, 360 video, and immersive 360 videos. My students could not wear or share the Tshirts due to hygiene restrictions, but they were perfect for me as a teacher partner. Students were still very engaged. Although the app is free, the T-shirts can be expensive. Even if you only buy one, they are well worth it.

MERGE Explorer

Merge Cubes are a great way for students to grasp difficult concepts and make them move, pick up, and manipulate. My students were studying sound waves. They created sound waves using the MERGE Explorer and the cubes by adjusting the amplitude of the wavelength and frequency. Students can'stamped" these simulations into place so they can compare different visuals, even if only one cube is available (see left image). Students also used their cube to create a Morse Code machine in the Explorer lesson. They were absolutely obsessed with it! This is only one lesson in the Explorer app, but it requires a paid subscription.

Measure

The Measure app should be on your iPad or iPhone. It is pre-installed with iOS 12 and higher. Your device can be used as a tape measure with Measure. This allows you to easily gauge distances between points. A level function is also available. This technology is especially useful for rectangular objects, as it can automatically recognize the dimensions and display the area. This app was used by my students during their measurement maths unit, which unfortunately fell during a period that involved remote learning. This app proved to be very helpful as many students at home didn't have the same measuring tools that they would have at school.

HomeCourt

Our House Coordinators used the HomeCourt app to organize our VSA House Fitness Challenge. Although HomeCourt is not designed for education (it is a sophisticated basketball training app), it can be fun for children and I can see a lot PE teachers making use of it during remote learning periods. The paid version is for professional players and trainers. However, the free version includes over 100 games (the tweet below only shows one) and multiplayer options. You can even use drills to connect maths and spelling.

These ideas should be useful to you and encourage you to think about AR in the classroom. Please share any other ideas in the comments below. Paul Hamilton once again gave me the insight and confidence to share these ideas with students.