Augmented Reality Meets Literature: Bringing Books To Life
As a science teacher, I often find things that I would love to purchase for my own classroom. Today was no exception because I was introduced to AR books that the librarian I have been working with bought for the students at her schools. She had purchased two sets of four science related books, and another two sets of fictional stories. In order for the Augmented Reality portion of the science related books by Carlton Books to work, you need to download the free apps/books from the Apple Store or Android Store. The Jurassic World book included a life-size mode that really demonstrated the size of the dinosaurs highlighted in the book that the kids really enjoyed.
The fictional books included titles such as The Numberlys which can be purchased at Wal-Mart, but also have separate apps that cost an extra 99 cents, which seems a little unnecessary if you have already purchased the book. Either way, I hope to snag a set of the science books for my own class so they can explore atoms, dinosaurs, and the solar system during units that include those topics. While they may seem a little below reading level for my eighth graders, I think the visual component will be a great addition to the curriculum they are uncovering in class.
What do you think? Does augmented reality remove the imagination factor of reading? Or does it add to the ability to engage with the text? I am of the opinion that students should learn to use technology the correct way, so that they can avoid using it inappropriately. While I know my future classroom will not be as tech-heavy as the currently class and district I am working with is, I do hope to supplement my teaching with opportunities to utilize technology when appropriate.
Thanks for looking and I look forward to your thoughts!
Stay awesome,
Oh my gosh. I think this would be really amazing for the classroom. I know I learn much better when I have not only someone speaking to me, and text but also hands on visual aid and all kids learn differently so implementing this would be awesome. Also, it's pretty heckin neat. You're a science teacher? ^_^ You just keep getting cooler.
Thats what I thought, too. I worked so much better when I could explore things on my own and not have the assignment/lesson prescribed to me, so when I saw these I was so excited. And tomorrow is my last day as a substitute teacher before I go back to teaching science. I taught part-time last year for a while before I had to quit. It was a terrible time leaving my students, but I was in a bad spot and had to take care of myself before getting back into the classroom again.
I am glad you can get back to doing what you love. <3 I totally get having to tak care of yourself first. Honestly I would like to see stuff like this geared at adults too! I want to explore science in an interactive way! I never really had formal education during my rocky, abusive, poverty-filled childhood so I try to take learning into my own hands and find that with aids that make it fun I do much better. :)
I really enjoy following you. You are one interesting, smart cookie.
Thanks, I am glad I got back to it as well! You're posts are very interesting to read also. And yes, adults need more learning tools. I will be sure to share anything I find that can be used for kids and adults alike. I'm trying not to paint myself into a corner with all of the teaching/education stuff on here, but my gosh do I find it so interesting, and I hope others do as well.
I have been doing a lot of science and tech related stuff myself as well as book related so I guess it's right up my alley but I know what you mean about trying to stay diverse. :)