Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) is any digital overlay connected to a real object. For example, I could write a blurb about the good and bad aspects of Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World, and attach it to the GPS coordinates of his statue in Boston's North End. Then I could contribute this content to one of the AR apps and anyone using that app on their smartphone, will, when looking at the statue, see my text hovering over Chris C.'s head. Following are several directions I have pursued when learning about this topic:
Hardware.
One of the most attractive aspects of AR is the promise that we will wear the screen as glasses, making AR a comfortable part of our lives. Although you can buy a Google Glass device shown here, they cost $1500.
In ten years, though, they will be more affordable, and schools will have sets of them to check out and use with your students.
One of the most attractive aspects of AR is the promise that we will wear the screen as glasses, making AR a comfortable part of our lives. Although you can buy a Google Glass device shown here, they cost $1500.
In ten years, though, they will be more affordable, and schools will have sets of them to check out and use with your students.
Navigation.
One of the most useful applications right now is for informational overlays associated with places such as buildings or other geographical locations. Apps can help you navigate anywhere you want to go. They can also give you info on attractions, history, dining options, entertainment and other services.
One of the most useful applications right now is for informational overlays associated with places such as buildings or other geographical locations. Apps can help you navigate anywhere you want to go. They can also give you info on attractions, history, dining options, entertainment and other services.
AcrossAir is an existing 3D navigator for iPhone. You just hold your smartphone upright and look around with your camera to view restaurants, hotels, landmarks, cinemas, etc. Floating image balloons on screen display information on each object.
If you hold it horizontally, it will switch to Google Maps to show your position and you can pin it to view it later. It can be used to find where you parked your car.
If you hold it horizontally, it will switch to Google Maps to show your position and you can pin it to view it later. It can be used to find where you parked your car.
Google Goggles (not to be confused with Google Glass) is an app that associates information, not with a GPS location, but with an image. It is available for iPhone and Android. Google has a huge database of images to match with.
It uses image recognition technology to identify the images it sees with your phone and can deliver information about various logos, landmarks, barcodes or QR codes. It can recognize DVDs, CDs, paintings, books.
It can translate from foreign languages
It also solves Sudoku puzzles, though that seems like cheating to me.
It uses image recognition technology to identify the images it sees with your phone and can deliver information about various logos, landmarks, barcodes or QR codes. It can recognize DVDs, CDs, paintings, books.
It can translate from foreign languages
It also solves Sudoku puzzles, though that seems like cheating to me.
Gaming.
Who wouldn't want to move their favorite video game outside and play it with their friends. When you see the orcs rushing at you can slash at them with your pretend sword and, well, you get the idea. The possibilities are extensive.
I'm not sure how hard it would be to build your own game or mod an existing one, but it might make a cool project for an after-school club. I think the artwork would probably be the most time-consuming, so getting your school's art teacher involved might be a smart move.
A Paintball app already exists!
Who wouldn't want to move their favorite video game outside and play it with their friends. When you see the orcs rushing at you can slash at them with your pretend sword and, well, you get the idea. The possibilities are extensive.
I'm not sure how hard it would be to build your own game or mod an existing one, but it might make a cool project for an after-school club. I think the artwork would probably be the most time-consuming, so getting your school's art teacher involved might be a smart move.
A Paintball app already exists!
_ Education.
Like I mentioned above under "Navigation," you might choose to associate information with a geographical locality or with a recognizable image. One educational use of this was created so that students that visit the site of the Battle of Lexington and Concord can explore that battle with AR. It is called Reliving the Revolution and the author created it by modifying an earlier game simuation called "Charles River City," by the MIT
Like I mentioned above under "Navigation," you might choose to associate information with a geographical locality or with a recognizable image. One educational use of this was created so that students that visit the site of the Battle of Lexington and Concord can explore that battle with AR. It is called Reliving the Revolution and the author created it by modifying an earlier game simuation called "Charles River City," by the MIT
Like I mentioned above under "Navigation," you might choose to associate information with a geographical locality or with a recognizable image. One educational example of the former is the use of Augmented Reality to learn About dinosaurs in Redwood State Park, CA. Viewers can see the dinosaurs in full-size 3D.
I found an interesting web page about the uses of AR in Education. It is called "Augmented Reality in Education: Here are 20 Examples."
Finally, to see how I could do something like I mentioned at the beginning with the Chris Columbus statue, I looked at another article, "Augmented Reality Brings New Dimensions to Learning." They suggested using Aurasma, which alows teachers and their classes to add content. That's where I will start.
Additional resources include people I know who teach computer science at WNE and Hampshire Colleges.
Finally, to see how I could do something like I mentioned at the beginning with the Chris Columbus statue, I looked at another article, "Augmented Reality Brings New Dimensions to Learning." They suggested using Aurasma, which alows teachers and their classes to add content. That's where I will start.
Additional resources include people I know who teach computer science at WNE and Hampshire Colleges.