Week Five - Augment Reality
What is AR?
Augmented reality is defined "as a system that enhances the real world by superimposing computer-generated information on top of it" (“Augmented Reality,” 2006).
AR is a significant emerging technology becoming available to schools which promotes students to be creative in their thinking and work. Although AR seems similar to virtual reality, there are substantial differences. Augmented reality differs from virtual reality in that it allows its users to see the real world while interacting with virtual visual imagery at the same time, hence providing many potential uses for the technology (Billinghurst, 2002).
By using AR technologies in school, teachers have more opportunities to engage and motivate students, by providing experiences that would not normally be possible.
Using Monster Park to Foster Creativity
(Star Walk, 2019)
An example of an app that is useful for fostering creativity is Monster Park AR. Students can use this app in classes such as History or Geography to gain a deeper understanding of the features of dinosaurs, as they can see them up close and interact with them. Students in primary school could creatively use this app in a history class to make a creative video of them interacting with the dinosaur, discussing its features and what they know about it.
In research conducted by Kerawalla et al. (2006) it is discussed that AR apps have great potential for engaging and motivating students in a restricted school environment, allowing them to engage with ideas that are not normally possible. This highlights the importance that Monster Park has in fostering creativity as students would not normally have this experience.
Although this app is a useful and simple way to visualise AR dinosaurs in school, it is limited as students need to have access to a phone or iPad in order to access it, limiting its overall accessibility.
Usage in Class
ZapWorks
(Zappar, 2022)
ZapWorks is another example of an app that is fosters creativity in students. This AR app provides students with freedom of choice as there are many different ways they can use the app.
ZapWorks would be useful in classes such as English, History, or Geography. In Geography, students could make the cover image a country, and then add AR images that provide information on that particular country, allowing them to be creative in their design.
Although ZapWorks is useful in fostering creativity by provide freedom of choice and options, it does have limitations, as teachers may find it difficult to use and teach with. However, there are tutorial videos created by ZapWorks to combat this.
Example of my own usage.
References
Augmented Reality. (2006). Springer EBooks, 29–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30038-4_10
Billinghurst, M. (2002). Augmented reality in education. New horizons for learning, 12(5), 1-5.
Kerawalla, L., Luckin, R., Seljeflot, S., & Woolard, A. (2006). “Making it real”: exploring the potential of augmented reality for teaching primary school science. Virtual Reality, 10(3–4), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-006-0036-4
Star Walk. (2019, April 19). Monster Park – AR Dino World [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YOzZ24IvlU
Zappar. (2022, January 18). All AR. No Coding with ZapWorks Designer [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBHK3IIvDEM
Hi Bella,
You have provided a fantastic blog post about Monster park and ZapWorks as a form of augmented reality and how they foster student creativity.
You've outdone yourself in providing ways that teachers can implement these technologies into various subject lessons, showcasing the diversity of AR. I really like your idea of using ZapWorks in a history lesson to showcase different cultures, this definitely fosters creativity as it can be conducted in many ways, the options are endless.
I agree with your limitation that ZapWorks can be difficult for teachers to use and teach with. I believe that this is because of the lack of experience and knowledge they have with AR technologies.
Well done,
Djoumana Aoun
Hey Bella!
Your blog post on augmented reality was really insightful, especially how you explored the use of Monster park as a platform that could be used in class. I feel like exploring dinosaurs in history is not only a good link to the curriculum but it is also something that the students love to explore and so exploring it through AR where they are able to see their features up close would be a way to keep them engaged and motivated to use AR to foster their creativity.
I also really like your use of ZapWorks to create a "be creative board" as it would be a nice AR experience to show students and encourage them to be creative.
Zeyba Orya (4/04/2023)
GoodEvening Bella,
I really enjoyed reading your blogpost about Augmented Reality. I do agree with you stance that AR can enhance creativity as it gives student’s “experiences that would not normally be possible”.
I love your implementation of technologies such as Monster Park and Zapworks to give us an example of AR. I never knew Monster Park existed, and by looking at the YouTube video you shared and your own creation, it really does show how much creativity can be fostered.
Monster Park would be great like you said to use in History or Geography. I also think you can even use this in science especially when learning about dinasaurs!! Junior high school students would love…