You may have heard teachers or your school’s ‘techie’ person mention AR (or Augmented Reality) and how we should use it in the classroom. We seem to be bombarded in PL meetings with new fandangle apps and how we are strongly encouraged to use them. The real question is, does it have educational value? We decided to investigate the basic uses of AR in the classroom and whether it should be your next app download.
What is AR?
“If you use an iPad, you can see ‘things’ around you in the real world” – Grade 2 student
Starting Small with AR Makr – In the Classroom
We utilised AR in a Year 4 classroom whilst learning about Australian animals. The students spent weeks before researching the animal, its features, habitat, diet, etc. Students wanted to create a ‘Classroom Zoo’ to share their learning with the Junior School hence the need for AR.
How To:
Download AR Makr to your iPad (will not work on older iPads) and also Sketches for School
In Sketches, draw an animal or something related to the learning outcome
Download the image with a transparent background
Open AR Makr and follow the instructions to find a suitable surface location
Add your image and click place
Once placed, you should be able to see the image in your current reality with a device
Beginning with AR in the Classroom Video
Enhance
You can add multiple images to compliment your main image. For example, a turtle, in the ocean with seaweed around it.
Each image has the ability to move. This enhances the image and the AR experience. For example, the earth orbiting around the sun.
AR Makr App
App – AR Makr
AR Makr is loaded with:
Pre-made starter templates such as The Three Little Pigs
Drawing tool
3D shapes such as a sphere, cube and pyramid that you can use in the classroom. With a bit of imagination you can link this to numeracy or other subjects.
How AR is Being Used Today
Science
Mathematics – Teaching of place value and shapes
Head to twitter and follow Paul Hamilton for all the AR free ideas you can handle: @PaulHamilton8