What is Augmented Reality?!

Aurasma Username: dkells22

Every girls dream...

Augmented reality is defined as the integration of digital information with the user's environment in real time. Augmented realtity differs from virtual reality in that it uses an existing environment and uses virtual overlays on top of it. An example of this would be a virtual dressing room...

3 ways augmented reality can help promote learning is by the following:

• Augmented reality can offer new ways for teachers to help learners outside the classroom environment. A student could scan a homework sheet and a video/graphic can pop up to help the student further understanding.
• AR can be used to create simulations and situational role plays where students can build on practical information they have learned from instruction.
• 3rd AR offers various advantages to the differently-abled population of students. for instance deaf students can learn the sign language translation of work or item easily. A video overlay can pop up showing the signed version of words and/or images

3 ways that companies are creating AR products for classrooms:

• Apps such as Elements 4D allows students to engage is science projects without the risks and dangers. It allows for combining different elements to see how they would react together in real life.
• Another program is an example such as Math Alive. These types of programs allow learning to become more engaging when learning. Cartoons and objects become animated when students answer math questions correctly,
• Another product being created for learning are what is considered "self-learning" apps. These apps allow students to learn independently. An example of this would be google translate. For example students can capture an English word and the app can provide the Cambodia, German, or Portuguese translation of the word.

One criticism of AR in the classroom are costs. Not just the monetary costs but the costs to society. How much technology is too much? The more immersed students become with altered realities...the less they become immersed in the actual human beings around them.

Aura Post

Aura is great and interactive tool to help further education in a classroom. I would use my Aura to educate staff and fellow students on what it feels like to be a person on the spectrum with sensory challenges. In all I would use my Aura for social and emotional learning which is something that D.C. Public Schools places emphasis on. If my product were more sophisticated or further developed I would make it more interactive. I would allow Aura viewers to select different settings and tasks that the person on the spectrum must take on in daily life. I would also allow viewers to choose various ends of the spectrum to view from.