Playing in the Sand ... AR Style ....

Playing in the Sand ... AR Style ....


I learned abut the AR sandbox almost 2 years ago and finally in May of this year I got to see it in action.  For my son's senior project he set up an AR sandbox for the high school.  The original Sandbox prototype was designed and built by project specialist Peter Gold of the UC Davis Department of Geology. The driving software is based on the Vrui VR development toolkit and the Kinect 3D video processing framework, and is available for download under the GNU General Public License.  Using this software, a Linux based computer, a short throw projector, and a Kinect 3D scanner he was able to make the AR Sandbox a reality.

My STEM students were one of the 1st group of students to tryout the AR Sandbox.  Let me tell you they fell in love instantly.  As they were busy building different land-forms my teacher mind was jumping up and down.  What a great way to visually see a topographical map.  My students that have to get all hands on deck building the different elevations would love it.  My students that are visual learners would also love seeing the elevations form.  My 1st thought was what if I gave two groups of students two different printouts of a topographical area and have them build them next to each other in the sandbox.  They then compare how they were able to build a certain elevation. They also can compare how different and or similar their two elevations are.

My mind then went to having my students build different mountain ranges and compare their elevations.  I would then have them discuss the weather on the mountain rages, the animals, and the foliage and why some mountains tops do not grow any kind of vegetation.  Talk about seeing the world from a different perspective.


Resources: 
My son demonstrating to my students
how the AR Sandbox works.

ARSandbox - Website
AR Sandbox - Educators Resources
AR Sandbox - Technical Resources
Move Mountains and Carve Rivers in a Seriously Awesome AR Sandbox - Wired Article

Join us on June 2nd 8pm central as I share how you can create your own AR sandbox among other fun augmented tools you can use with your students.









Following Your Dreams ....

Following Your Dreams ....

What most people do not know is that my 1st day of teaching was my oldest son's 1st day of kindergarten. He have shared 13 first days of school, 13 Christmas breaks, 13 Spring Breaks, and 13 Summer Vacations together.  When I was 18 and planning my future teaching as a career wasn't even on my radar.  I wanted to travel the world and do something in international business.  I was really good at using the computer and showing others how to use this new thing called "email" and the "internet".  A year into college and going after my dream I met my soon to be husband who changed my world.  After we married our son soon joined our lives and that was the moment we decided that one of us needed to be there for him, so I changed gears and went into education.   I not only was able to have pretty much the same schedule as him but I also was blessed to be one of his teachers, not once but 3 times.

As I reflect the times we shared while at school, it will be the surprise popping into my classroom just so he could say "HI Mom" I will miss the most.  When he was in kindergarten and first grade he would tell the teacher he needed to use the bathroom and he pop his cute little red head in my doorway and say "Hi, mom. How's your day?".  He would surprise me all the way through high school popping in just to say hi.  On his last week of school I was thinking about how much I was going to miss him popping in and just then there he was standing in my classroom.

Who would have thought I would spend my first 13 years in education sharing it with such a wonderful young man.  He has been my inspiration and I am sure he will continue to be.  He plans to continue his education and small part of me is a little sad that I will not be there to share his experiences while the other part of me is so proud of him.  He was accepted to the College of Engineering at Kansas State University before he even started his senior year of high school.  His major will be Computer Science with a minor in Cyber Security.  He also plans on working towards his masters in Computer Science.

On his last week of school he received the letter he wrote himself when he was in the 7th grade. His major goal when he was 12 was to learn how to code and program while attending college and getting a degree in computer programming. I am so happy he is following his dreams.  The hardest part of watching him follow his dreams is letting him go.  At least I have 8 more weeks to enjoy his sweet face before he goes off to follow his dream.  I am also pretty sure when he pops in from now on just to say HI I will treasure it even more.

Augmenting the Model T Challenge ...

Augmenting the Model T Challenge ...


The Model-Ters have just completed the Model T Challenge with Kevin Honeycutt. Kevin encourage teachers to get their students together and build a Model T to 1/3rd scale. I partnered up with three other schools and together we built a 1/3rd scale model of the Model T 1916 C cab truck.  To promote and share our project I augmented some of the students' drawings.  You will need to have the Blippar App and enter the code "24126" in the app's settings.

Augmenting students' work is a great example of using augmented triggers in education and a great way to personalize learning.  With these triggers you will be able to see the process we went through as we collaborated, designed, problem solved, and built this Model T.  You can also follow the hashtag #modelTchallenge on Twitter to see how other schools worked together to complete there part of the challenge.































I am very proud of my team and their students.  Everyone did a fantastic job.  Thank you Amber, Jessica, and Peter for joining me on this journey.  I've learned a lot and enjoyed working with you and your students.  Maybe next school year we can do another project together. 







Keys to Unlocking the Universe via Augmented Reality ....

Keys to Unlocking the Universe via Augmented Reality ....

Augmented reality captures the attention of kids of all ages even the inner kid in adults.  The 1st time I saw AR being used was at a conference and the speaker just mentioned how he used it to bring an art show to life.  From that moment I was hooked and had to learn more.  I've been sharing augmented reality content for the past six years.  I started this journey presenting the topic at conferences, workshops, edcamps, and webinars.  I love showing educators, parents, and kids ways to use augmented reality in education. Because I love to share I launched the Google+ Group "Augmented Reality for Education". My plan for the group is to share ways others use augmented reality in their classroom and with their students.  It is also a place to get help and ask questions.  To keep the conversation going I host a weekly Twitter Chat #AR4Learning. Once a month #AR4Learning is also Twitter Chat + a Google Hangout.  Since augmented reality can be used with all curriculum I have broken up the #AR4Learning Twitter chat into topics such as AR with Math, AR with Science, AR with Social Studies, AR with Reading, AR with Writing, etc..


My love of sharing has lead me to write a book "Keys to Unlocking the Universe via Augmented Reality". It has taken me about a year to put the book all together.  It is full of ideas on how to use all different types of augmented content in education, from augmented coloring pages to flashcards, and augmented 360 environments.  To celebrate the launch of my book I will be giving away a digital copy on May 26th during #AR4Learning Twitter Chat + Google Hangout.  I may even give away a digital copy during the May 19th #AR4Learning Twitter Chat.  To enter the give-a-way you will need to fill out the form below. Then join us on May 19th and 26th at 8pm central time for #AR4Learning either on Twitter, in the GHO, or both.





Bringing Historical Scientists to Life with Augmented Reality ....

Bringing Historical Scientists to Life with Augmented Reality .... 



With the help of augmented reality students can bring historical figures to life including scientists.  Students can use tools such as ChatterPix and Blabberize to create a talking historical figure and use that video clip as the augmented content.  So when someone scans their portrait the talking images appears on the tablet or smartphone.  Students can also create Infographs and turn those into the augmented content for that historical figure.  What a fun way for students to demonstrate their understanding about a historical person.  Wouldn't be cool to have a wall of historical figures that are all augmented.  When students, teachers, and parents scan the images they can learn all about that person via talking photos, infographs, interactive presentations, and such much more.  When it comes to creating augmented content the possibilities are endless.

Try scanning Sir Issac Newton's portrait with Blippar enter the code 23562 in the settings.  Then join us in Twitter on Thursday at 8pm central as we talk more ways to use augmented reality in education this weeks focus is Science.










Adding #AugmentedReality to Programs ....

Adding #AugmentedReality to Programs ....


Did you ever wanted to know the background information of a play or musical?  What about taking a peek into the behind the scenes? With augmented reality you can do those things and much more.  Why not add a trailer to the program, a cast bio, behind the scenes, bloopers, facts about the program or important information.  Augmenting a program or playbill will allow you to add those items.  When a patron scans the cover they can access the digital content you attached.

Try this example of an augmented playbill of the "Wizard of Oz".  When you scan the image a trailer video clip will auto play.  After the video plays you will have access to another video clip as well as some pictures.  Just think of the possibilities.  While patrons are waiting for the show to go on they can be learning about the cast, the musical/play/program, the original author, and so much more.  Think about the printing cost to.  In stead of printing a booklet you can print up a postcard.  Don't forget to include instructions on how to access the content.

Don't stop with just school musical, plays, and programs.  What about augmenting a sporting program.  How cool would it be to have live stats of a player and their bio.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating augmented content.


Join us on May 5th for #AR4Learning as we chat more about ways to incorporate augmented reality into the ARTS.







Using Augmented Reality to Bring Writing to Life ....

Using Augmented Reality to Bring Writing to Life ....


My favorite way to use augmented reality in my classroom just happens to be with writing.  When I used augmented triggers either as a story prompt or a focus point of a story helps get my students thinking about the story rather than how many sentences do I need to write.  Composing on a computer is a form of writing but for my students is keyboarding practice.  The skill of keyboarding (a.k.a. typing) is one of my main focuses in my classroom so we end up doing a lot of writing assignments.  To get my students past their writing block I have them color augmented coloring sheets.  When I first started this project there was really only two companies that offered a limited amount augmented coloring sheet.  Other companies have seen how engaging these magical coloring sheets can be and has started creating their own.

I start off this project by passing out a different coloring page to each student.  I allow time for students to color and brainstorm possible stories that could focus on their character.  Once they are done with the brainstorming process I have them type of their 1st draft and submit it to me.  After I have viewed their 1st draft then I allow students to scan their character and interactive with it.  Their next step is to revise their story.  I normally have them add the magical part that happened when they scan their image to their story.  I even have them revise their story again and add themselves to their story.  Towards the end of the project I have them revise their story one more time and add another character, one that has already been colored by another classmate.

I change how I have my students put their stories together, I never quit do it the same way each time. This semester I had create a Smore.  I then had them submit an image of their augmented character to be augmented.  For example when you scan the image of the turtle in the student's hand, you will get the student's story via Smore and a photo gallery of images taken of the augmented characters.

My plan is to create a bulletin board of the trigger images.  When you scan each image you will get the story and photo gallery that belongs to that character.


Join us on May 4th at 8pm central / 9pm eastern for #3rdChat as we talk more on how to augmented reality in education.










Number the Stars - Augmented Lit Trip....

Number the Stars - Augmented Lit Trip....

Bringing ligature to life can really bring a student into the story, history, or environment they are reading about.  The best way to follow a character through their travels is to map it out.  Why not use Google Maps to map out the travels of the characters in the story Number the Stars.  For the best experience in using Google Maps to create Lit Trips is to make sure you are logged into your Google account.  You can either create the custom Google Map or have students create the map as they read.

For this augmented Lit Trip you will need the Blippar App to activate the augmented content. Before you scan the image enter the code "23722".  You can do this by clicking on the three lines at the top of your screen. When students scan this image they will be given the path that the Jewish family from the story took to escape from Copenhagen during World War II.  This Lit Trip is interactive and does work with a tablet and or iPad.  When students tap on the pins on the map they will receive more information about that location.

This augmented Lit Trip was designed to give students an understanding of the path the family took as they ran for their lives. There are tons of activities that focus around this story and or the Holocaust as well as other historical fiction books.  You could use more than one book and have students compare the experiences the characters in each book had.  You could even create augmented lit trips to accompany each book.


Join us on May 4th at 8pm central/ 9pm easter for #3rdChat as we talk about ways to use augmented reality in education. 



Resources:

Augmented Color Poems ....

Augmented Color Poems ....

Writing poetry can be hard for students.  Why not bring their poems to life with the use of augmented reality.  Start off with something simple such as a poem about their favorite color.  Have them use an app the can draw/design in or Google Draw to create the image that will be turned into their trigger.  For this trigger image I used Canva.  The goal of this augmented color poem is to scan the trigger and the poem along with slideshow of pictures that represent the poem will appear.  Again I used Canva to write my poem and save it as a jpg file.  Your students can use any drawing app as long as they can export their creation as a jpg file.

For my augmented color poem you will need the Blippar App.  Within the app you will need to enter the code "23722" before scanning the image.  I download the purple poem as a jpg file then uploaded to Blippar's BlippBuilder platform.  I also found images that related to the poem and created a slideshow within Blippar's BlippBuilder platform.  Blippar has made it pretty easy to self-publish your augmented content.  All you really need to know is how to click the "Upload" button and find your files.  You can take this project a step further and add a video or audio file of the student reading the color poem.

I would create a bulletin board and post all of the students triggers they created along with instructions on how to activate the augmented part.  I would also create the augmented poems all in the same campaign so that all of the triggers had the same code.  You could even add their trigger image to their writing journal.

Join us for #3rdChat on May 4th at 8pm central/ 9pm easter as we talk about how you can use augmented reality in education.



Balto - Augmented Lit Trip ....

Balto - Augmented Lit Trip ....

In preparation for the #3rdchat on May 4th I thought I would give an example of using augmented reality to bring a story to life with a augmented Lit Trip.  The story I thought I would bring to life is "Balto and the Great Race" by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel.  Using this story a teacher could bring in the history of the Iditarod race a long with the story of this brave dog.  You can even look at the terrain the sled dogs had to travel across and do a little math to figure out how many miles a day the dogs had to travel to get their destination.

To access the augmented content of this augmented Lit Trip you will need to download the Blippar app.  Within the app you will need to enter the code "23722".  To do this you will need to click on the three lines at the top of your screen.  Once you have entered the code scan the image similar to a QR code. You will want to fill the entire screen of your device with the image.

I have included a Google Map of the Iditarod race path, as well as a video about the serum run sled dogs.  You will also discover a digital archive of "The Serum Run of 1925".

After students have read the story about Balto I would have them create a presentation about what items from the book could be fiction, fact, option, and etc.. make sure they include evidence to support their side of the argument.

Join us on May 4th at 8pm Central / 9pm Eastern for #3rdChat as we talk about ways to use augmented reality in education.




Resources: