AugThat's Ambassador Program....

AugThat's Ambassador Program....

I am really excited to announce that AugThat has launched an ambassador program and I get to help run it.  I love sharing and helping other educators learn and use Augmented Reality in the classroom.

Augthat Ambassadors program is a community of K-12 educators leading the industry in ed-tech. These educators are supporting, empowering, and inspiring teachers inside and outside of Augthat! They will be spreading the Augthat philosophy and immersion of augmented reality throughout their networks and partner with the Augthat team to help other educators become power users of ed-tech.

Some Expectations:
All Ambassadors are able and encouraged to:

• Be present in the Augthat community and large teacher groups to answer questions, provide tips to new users, and share ideas for using ed-tech and and Augthat. 
• Become a Certified Trainer and provide formal Augthat! Professional Development
• Get early access to new features and share feedback directly with the Augthat Team
• Flag any technical issues you come across so our engineers can investigate
• Drive the conversation about ed-tech and Augthat through social media

Participate in the Augthat Ambassador Professional Learning Community to share learning with fellow Ambassadors and stay up-to-date about the latest happenings in Augthat and ed-tech.  Does this sound like you?  If so please apply to become an AugThat Ambassador.  Click here to fill out the application.

For more information about the program please click here.

Exciting NEWS:

All Ambassadors will have their very own button within the app to access the Augmented Content they have created.  For example if teachers have any of my triggers once in the app all they have to do is click on my name and scan away.  The AugThat Ambassadors will be like featured Augmented Content Creators.  The AR Rock Stars!  What is even more exciting Ambassadors will have early access to new AugThat's content, lessons, activities, and curriculum.  I have to tell you that there is some amazing stuff being developed, that I can't wait to try out.  You thought the 360 ° environments were mind blowing just wait.

Bringing Learning to Life with Augmented Reality....

Bringing Learning to Life with Augmented Reality....

Augmented reality is one of my passions.  I love watching kids come alive and fully engaged when they interact with augmented triggers. Students are not the only ones that come alive when they interact with augmented triggers, teachers love them too

Augmented reality is experience that super imposes computer-generated experience over a trigger image. There are several different types of augmented experiences you can interact with. These computer-generated experiences allows you to listen to music, watch video clips, interact with 3D models, or place you in an environment such as the ocean. All of these possible interactions require the student to scan a trigger image that will trigger the experience.  Thus the trigger image or target image.

Augmented Reality - IN THE CLASSROOM

Augmented Reality is an engaging tool for students and teachers, really anyone that uses it. It allows you to immerse yourself into any environment, and apply critical thinking skills to real-world scenarios.  My goal is to teach 21 century learners think outside the box and beyond their learning environments. You can take an image and create an engaging learning experience that cannot be achieved in typical two-dimensional planes, such as worksheets or on a whiteboard/chalkboard.

Because I am so passionate about augmented reality and the impact it can have in the classroom I've teamed up with Aug That.  I am creating some one of a kind augmented lessons that you can have access to and use in your classroom, on top of their ever growing interactive lessons, 3D objects, and 360° environments. Aug That is also giving free access to Teach Connect all you have to do is tell them that the Techie Chick sent you.

Teach Connect allows you to create augmented triggers in a safe environment. No channels to follow, no scanning and getting something inappropriate, a totally complete safe environment. You don't even need to know how to create the augmented experience all you have to do is send them the trigger image you want to use and what you want the experience to be. You also get access to other teacher created augmented lessons. I can even help you create and use augmented lessons in your classroom, all you have to do is ask.

Take a Demo of Aug That.  Download the STAR app and check out their Demo page.  You are going to love it.  After you have taken the Demo email Lisa@Augthat.com and tell her that the Techie Chick sent you.  She will get you connected with your free Teach Connect account.  Once my lessons are up and running you will also get access to those.

Resources:

• The STAR App
• The Demo Page
• My AR Resource Page
• The AR Idea Board
• Contact Lisa@augthat.com 

Portable Mini Green-Screen....

Portable Mini Green-Screen....

One of the projects I like to do with my 6th grade students is "On the Scene Reporter".  I have a wall in my classroom painted green, for our staging area that I normally use for this project.  My students are normally the reporter giving a report on Ancient Greece.  Since this will be my 3rd time doing this project I have to switch it up just a little.  I've been planning a workshop for teachers on Green-Screen projects and it hit me how I could switch it up and still be a green-screen project, I need portable mini green-screens.  It just happened to be Super Bowl day and we just happened to have gotten some extra large pizzas from the store so I had a few boxes to play with.  Since the pizza boxes had a window I decided to paint the inside and the back of the box, this way I could use both sides.  I could use the box as a regular green-screen or flip it and have a puppet show / animation stage green-screen style.

Puppet Show / Animation Stage

I choose a pizza box because it is flatter and can stand up by itself. Which will make it easier to travel with and to store.  As I played around with the box and the green-screen app Veescope I did noticed that you had to be careful with lighting and shadows.  I also noticed that some of my props or actors were a little on the short side so I took another box and painted it green to make a platform for them to stand on.  My little actors can now blend in better with the background image or video.

One of the reasons I decided to create a mini green-screen was because I have a few students who love Legos and I know they would create some amazing stories using green-screen and their Legos.  I also have a few shy students who refuse to stand in front of a camera and give a report.  Having a mini green-screen would give them an option to still do the project but use an actor to replace them as the reporter.  They would still have to add their voice either at the time of recording or overlay it with the iMovie app.  Either way it is a win, win situation.  My students are now not only the reporter but now they can be a director, producer, casting director, writer, and agent.

Paint a smaller box for a platform.

Having a portable mini green-screen would also allow my students to record anytime and anywhere.  Giving them a choice on how they can do their green-screen projects opens the door to their creativity.

Project Ideas:

• On the Scene Reporter
• Puppet Show
• Book Trailer / Report
• Use Paper Dolls / Print out of famous people & make them move and tell their story.
• Wear a Green Glove and Make the Actors Move
• Paint Bamboo Skewers Green and Attach them to the Props & Actors to Make Them Move
• Use Explain Everything and work out a math problem.  Use that recording as the background in the Veescope app and have your actor explain how they solved the problem.
• Have a time lapse video of a plant growing, science experiment, etc... saved into the Veescope app as the background.  Then have your actor explain the process.
• Create Postcards of places your actors saw while on their Dream Vacation.

Tips:

• Paint smaller boxes and use them as platforms for your props and actors.
• Use an iPad stand to position your iPad just right for recording.
• Record or snap stills in a well lit area or use a desk lamp with a bendable neck to provide lighting.
• Record in a quiet place.
• Save images and or video clips to the iPad that has the Veescope app.
• Use the Full version of the Veescope app. 

A Year in Review .... 2014

A Year in Review .... 2014

I've grown a lot personally and professional throughout 2014. My family even reached memorable milestones.  From my oldest son turning 16 and started driving himself around. To my daughter starting kindergarten while my youngest son started high school.  2014 for me is going down in my record book of a year of growth.

I started 2014 off by hopping on an airplane headed to FETC.  I was glad a had a friend traveling with me to help guide my way during such huge conference. Thanks Brenda for the guidance and the little push, without you I don't think I would be heading down my new path.  I do believe that FETC has been the largest conference I had attended in my career in education.

The hardest and most memorable journey I took was hopping on a plane to go to iPadpalooza.  I hadn't really traveled by myself before, but thankfully there was a kind face waiting for me when I landed.  Wendy opened up her home to me and watched over me while I was at iPadpalooza. Wendy you will never know how much your kindness help me get over a huge hurdle in my life.

I had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people face to face in 2014. From Adam Bellow, Kathy Schrock, Wesley Fryer, Todd Nesloney Brad Waid, Drew Minock, Kevin Honeycutt, Ginger Lewman, to the Blue Bunny gals at SimpleK12.  I even met some amazing people online which I hope some day I will be able to meet face to face such as Craig Yen, Sheryl Place, Monique Dalli, Jess McCarthy, and Terri Eichholz just to name a few.

My PLN has grown tenfold in 2014.  Without these amazing people online and in person belonging to my personal learning network I don't think I would have
grown as much as I have.  If I need help I know I can reach out to them and they are there to lend me a hand. If it wasn't for their support I don't think I could have hopped on those planes and head off to uncharted territory.

If I had to pick a theme song for 2014 it would be Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. I totally believe that today is where my book begins and the rest is still unwritten.  I feel that 2014 has started the first chapter of my this amazing journey I am on.  I am not sure where this journey is taking me, but I know I will learn a lot along the way.

If I had to pick a theme song for the end of 2014 and the start of 2015 I would have to go with Let it Go by Idina Menzel.  I have this passion building up and I need to learn to let it go and let others see me. I've been told that others have heard me through my blog, but now they want to see me. See what I really have to offer.  I would like to extend the walls of my classroom to reach the world.  I want to share how to bring learning to life, even if it is just one classroom at a time. I attended a Launch Me workshop and have connected with lots of people from around the world that would love to see me
achieve my dream.  With their help and support I believe that I will be able to change my theme song to This Girl is on Fire by Alicia Keys.

I can't wait to see how 2015 unfolds and where I go from here.

Website - katieannwilson.com

Creating AR with the Daqri 4D Studio....

Creating AR with the Daqri 4D Studio....

Augmented reality isn't anything new, it has been around for a while now. Creating your own augmented reality on the other hand has only been available in the recent few years.  This spring Daqri released their 4D studio to the education community. Out of all of the augmented reality creators I have used this one is by far the friendliest one to use. When I talk to others about creating augmented reality I hear; "That is too techie for me.", or "I just can't wrap my head around how it works.", or "There is no way I will be able to create something like that."  Let me ask you a few questions then.

• Can you drag and drop?
• Can you copy and paste?
• Can you click on a button that says upload?
• Can you click on a Plus Sign to start a new project?
• Can you click on a button that says Save?
• Can you click on a button that says Publish?

If you answered yes to these questions then you can create an augmented reality trigger.

For Podstock I created a mini tutorial on how to create a augmented reality trigger. Daqri did change a few things in their studio but it will not effect how you create a trigger.  You will just notice my screenshots just look a hair different.  I had put my tutorial in a NearPod presentation so I could monitor who accessed the presentation and evaluate their knowledge about the topic.  I will post the link to that as well.  Feel free to use the Google Presentation or the NearPod one. 

Just keep in mind this is a very basic tutorial.  I plan on creating more in depth ones soon. 

Presentations/Resources:

• Google Presentation - Creating AR with Daqri
• NearPod Presentation - Creating AR
• Google + Community - Augmented Reality for Educators
• Edmodo Group - Augmented Reality PD '14
• Daqri's 4D Studio Login

If you do not have an account for Daqir's 4D Studio you will need to click HERE to request one.

My Reflection of Podstock '14

My Reflection of Podstock '14

Podstock is one of my favorite conferences to attend.  I have only missed 2 of them since they started.  When I first met this group of educators and they were all dressed up like hippies I had my doubts, but they open their hearts and welcomed me in just like family.  The conference is more than just about learning it is about building relationships with other educators from around the world.  

Even though I live little over an hour away from Wichita I like to stay overnight and participate in the extra activities.  This year Podstock added a Pine Derby Car race. It was a lot of fun connected with others while sanding, painting, and decorating my little car.  I do have to say that my little car did beat a guy or two.  The reception is always a lot of fun as well.  The 1st year, if I remember correctly, the dance was both online via 2nd Life and in person.  I highly suggest that if you attend Podstock you should really participate in the little extras, it is always a lot of fun.  You never know you might win the next Photo Scavenger Hunt.

During the conference I attended several really great sessions.  I am trying to get out of my introvert shell so I picked session that I thought would help me do that.  I also tried to take selfies, which is very hard for me to do.  The Improv session was a amazing.  I never stopped and thought about some of the "Improv Games" that you play could relate right back to education.  If you think about it you are developing listening skills, character building skills, speaking skills, problem solving skills and face it, it is a lot of fun being a little goofy.

I try to submit a proposal every year to be a presenter, so far every time I've submitted I've been approved. This year I did a presentation on creating augmented reality.  My goal was to have a hands on session were by the time the attendees left the session they had created an augmented reality trigger.  In a perfect world that would have been amazing, but that didn't happen.  I learned that I need to have my own hot spot so I don't have to battle with a conference's WiFi, now only if I can convince my husband.  One of the things I hope the attendees of my session took away was that you can turn anything into a trigger.  For the conference I had made my avatar a trigger so when you scanned it you got more information about me.  I also designed a shirt for Podstock and turned that into a trigger, so when you scanned it you got information about Podstock.  To help others I created an Edmodo group and a Google+ community were educators can connect, get help, and share their experiences with augmented reality. I have tons of pre-made AR triggers saved in the groups and a list of AR apps. Feel free to join the community or group.

Resources:

• Edmodo Augmented Reality Group
• Google+ Augmented Reality Group
• Photos during Podstock
• Podstock Photowalk
• Improv Session
• Calvin & Hobbes

Creating a Global Project....

Creating a Global Project....

In just one click you can travel to Rome, Hong Kong, and see the pyramids in Egypt.  Twenty years ago in
order for you to get a glimpse of these amazing places you had to visit your local library and pray that they had some resources on them. Today all you have to do is hop on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone and you can travel the world without leaving your couch or classroom.

In August of 2013 I started working on creating my global project - the "Global Digital Scrapbook".  I have gone to several conference sharing how I created my global project.  I was suppose to be holding a workshop at ISTE this year helping other educators start creating their own global projects.  Due to lack of people signing up for the workshop my session was cancelled.  I would still like to share with you some resources on the topic.

I have created a group in Edmodo on Creating Global Projects.  I encourage you to join the group if you are interested in creating a global project or if you would like to connect with others and participate in their global project.  Once you click the link to join the group I will have to accept you.  In the group you will be able to post your questions, ideas, or ask for help.  I have also created folders with resources and tools I have used in creating my global project.

If you need need or have questions please feel free to connect with me.

Resources:

• Edmodo Group - Making a Global Project
• Global Digital Scrapbook Project - 2013/14

Reaching for the Stars....

Reaching for the Stars....

In May of 2013 I decided to set personal and professional goals.  One of my personal goals was to attempt
to participate in a 5K fun run.  Since I made that goal I have participated in 4 separate 5K fun runs.  Now keep in mind for most of my adult life I wasn't physically able to walk very far without having to stop and catch my breath, so for me to attempt to met this goal I had to work on it.

Another goal I had set for myself was professional and personal all at the same time.  I am that quiet person that sits and listens to people.  I've been that way my entire life.  When I started my career in education I have been nudged to share my knowledge and experience with tech ed. The very 1st presentation I did that wasn't for my school district was in 2004 for the Summer MACE conference in Kansas City.  Ever since then I have presented on and off, mainly for the school district I worked for.  In Spring of 2013 I decided that it was time that I reach for the stars and inspire more than just my friends and colleagues, so I started submitting presentation and or workshop proposals for variety of conferences.

I stepped outside my comfort zone and reached as far as I could.  I figured even if I missed the star I was aiming for that I would land among some amazing ones.  I submitted a proposal for a workshop for ISTE.  I thought to myself even if my proposal didn't get accepted at least I tried.  I remember the moment I received the email in December from ISTE.  I was so nervous, excited and a wreck all at the same time.  I took a deep breath and opened the email.  I ran through my house yelling, jumping up and down all at the same time.  My husband had literally thought I had lost it.  My proposal had been accepted, and I was on cloud nine.

My workshop for ISTE 2014 on Creating a Global Digital Scrapbook has been canceled, it was supposed to have taken place on July 1st.  I have mixed emotions about it.  I understand that they need a certain amount of people to attend the session to make it worth everyone's while and to pay for the room.  I am still excited and humble that my session had been picked.  It isn't every day one can say that their session was approved by ISTE.

ISTE was just one of a handful of proposals that I sent in that had been accepted. For the 2013-14 school year I have been honored to present at Podstock 2013 & 2014, FETC, iPadpalooza, MACE, and webinars for SimpleK12 and K12OnlineConference.  I even attended and presented/lead sessions at edcampKC and edcampKS.  My family along with friends have encouraged me to continue to reach out and inspire other educators.

If you plan being in the Atlanta area for ISTE and you would like to connect face to face give me a shout.  I have been told that I need to hang out at the Bloggers Cafe, so you may find me there.  I will be the quiet person wearing Google Glass taking in all that ISTE has to offer.  My goal is to connect and share as much as possible while I am in the area.