As part of my activities this week to be…
As part of my activities this week to better understand augmented reality (AR) concepts, I used the Layar platform to create a simple AR tour of one of the audio recording rooms in my classroom.
While Layar is intended as a tool for integrating AR in print magazines, I found the free iOS app to be effective at recognizing the actual room as well. With the Layar website, I created a page which allows a student to enter the audio room, snap a picture of the room using the free Layar app and immediately be presented with audio and video descriptions and tutorials of the various pieces of equipment found in the room. In this way, I am able to combine different resources together in a single, interactive manner.
I could accomplish the task of informing students about the equipment in the room by posting written signs/posters in the room and by providing them with URLs to the different video tutorials, but I think the AR delivery method of this information makes some good sense.
There is no question that the “novelty effect” to this implementation is high and that any real learning will only occur if the students spend the time to interact with the audio and video information presented. However, if the seductive idea of using AR makes students more likely to stop and engage with the information I have prepared for them, then I think it could be consider beneficial.
I’ll report back in a week or so, to let you know what my students think of the whole idea. If you would like to try the tour yourself, download the free Layar app and use it to snap a photo of this scene: https://www.dropbox.com/s/b0gf7sf356ih7fz/AudioRoom.JPG
Posted in: Week 07:
manny 5:47 pm on October 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Scott,
Thanks for sharing your demonstration of the layer app. As i have been playing around with the different types of AR apps, I found that they can really be beneficial for hands on learning activities. For instance, when I run a science lab, I usually have multiple stations set up and i’m constantly running around and providing instructions for the students on how to progress through the activities. 99% of the time is spent helping them get through the stations therefore leaving minimal time for further inquiry. I am hoping that I can perhaps set up mini tutorials for each station that students can simply point and play. This technology could also be used in P.E. class in which students can point to a specific workout machine and receive instruction on how to use it and what muscles it emphasizes.
I agree with the novelty effect that its implementation produces and think it is a great method of hooking students into a lesson.