Augmented Reality. Coming to a Classroom Near You!

Augmented Reality. No, it's not a sci-fi movie or latest video game ... although it will add some futuristic elements to your classroom!

In simple terms, with the Aurasma or Layar app on an iOS or Android device, any image can become a trigger that's linked to other resources: 3D animations, self-made videos, youtube videos, other images, websites, audio recordings, etc. When scanned by a device with the AR app, you'll see how a flat image is brought to life! Amazing!

In last month's Nexus & iPad workshops with @gregkulowiec and @brholland, Blake MS educators explored AR's potential integration into their classrooms (and not to mention, ease of use!). Educators quickly discovered how it can bring interactivity, offer dynamic ways for students to consume content and how easily layers of support can be built-in for directions, background knowledge, & more.   

Watch a demo by our very own 6th grade Math Teacher, Mr. Millard!

Mrs. McClelland (@CynMcCl) was the first teacher to dive right in! Her recent Islamic unit is filled with rich content. She already incorporates beautifully-produced images from her curriculum materials to help with teaching the concepts and information. This time, these images evolved into more... she created triggers on them to take students to videos and other media. It was now just a matter of simply posting the images around her room, creating a graphic organizer for students to record information and there it is- an interactive scavenger hunt of learning!

Let's head over to the 6th grade hallway where the Koala cluster happens to be piloting the Nexus 10 tablets 1:1.  That didn't stop them from partnering up with the other two clusters to share their technology and Augmented Reality adventure to space! All three science teachers: Mrs. Heim, Mrs. Muscatell, and Ms. Dengos transformed their usual project to an interactive experience using the Layar App. Students were then divided into space teams of one from each cluster and were given the mission to visit each poster, scan the images for information, and then discuss and answer questions on paper.  Take a look into their classrooms as the students move from one place to another.

I think it's safe to say, "Mission: Successfully Completed!"
And this is only the beginning of how Medfield teachers are taking these tools
to enhance and redefine instruction and learning.

Visit these additional AR resources to learn more:

Paul Hamilton

Mrs. Pepe's Class

* Follow both Paul & CeCe on twitter too and the hashtags below for endless ideas!
#augmentedreality

#aRevolution

#iPadcreativity

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Slow Motion Science

Let's face it- there is nothing that can replace a student conducting their own hands-on Science experiments!

This pretty much still holds true in a 1:1 iPad environment.  In fact, the iPad actually takes the back seat and serves a very different purpose in these situations. Plus, you only need ONE!

Enter into Mr. Heim's 8th Science Class.

His students usually work in partners for experiments. However, the Flame Test is the one test that requires more safety procedures to be in place. Therefore, Mr. Heim takes the lead in conducting the only experiment which means most students will have to watch from a safe distance.  Can you imagine being the student sitting in the back of the class? Maybe you were absent that day?  Or the experiment happens so fast that you missed the most important part?  

Well, Mr. Heim discovered a solution to these challenges. He simply found a stand to hold his device near the experiment and the Slo Pro iPad app to record & replay the entire process in slow motion as many times as needed. 

Watch the video below to join his class in action.

*You will also notice students then documented the results by hand-drawing a chart and explaining their observations in the Explain Everything app. This makes it possible for students to later return to their own audio-visual recording of the results.   Think of how beneficial is it to be able to watch and listen to your own explanation at any time too?

Without further ado...The Flame Test!

Let's take this one step further... 

Do you think all of the Science classes had the same experience?  

Reached the same results? 

Drew the same conclusions? 

Maybe. Maybe not.

Mr. Heim now has the ability to share each recording

with each class to draw their own conclusions.

 My conclusion:  Science in slow motion can be a powerful tool!

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Journey to the Center of the Earth

Screencasting gives students a tool to demonstrate creativity and collaboration.

8th Grade is filled with some adventurous field trips .. this latest one takes you directly to the Center Center Center of the Earth Earth Earth!

Grab your astrosuit and climb aboard as two 8th graders narrate your journey through the Earth's Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Sub Layers and  Inner Core. 

 

Typically, Mr. Heim's students complete a web quest to answer questions as a way to demonstrate their learning.  However, with the iPad, the screen casting app, Explain Everything opens up other possibilities that push students to use creativity in writing a script, in finding images to match their information and in producing an animated movie. This activity also involved a tremendous amount of collaboration through discussion/communication, research, decision-making and the creation process. The end result.. you have students who not only met the learning objectives, but who were able to successfully complete a higher order complex task in an engaging, purposeful way.

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