Journal 3: Abracadabra–It's Augmented Reality!

Raphael, R. (2011). Abracadabra-it's augmented reality!. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx


NETS-T 2


This article addresses the up and coming growth/use of augmented reality. Although it is not a completely new concept, it is just beginning to enter the world of education in the classroom. Upon reading this article I was still not 100% clear on what augmented reality is. I looked into it in more depth on my own for a few minutes then read the article again, making much more sense the second time around. Augmented reality is placing information/words or computer generated objects in real-time environments. It made sense to me to think of it as a video game being real (your new gun or new tool appears in your hand when pick from the display in front of you) or the example of the footage from a soldiers helmet with real time on screen information on a target or location. In other words it can be thought of as a real-time virtual reality. 


1.) What does AR mean for education?
The article used the example of Zooburst, a website tool students can use for digital story-telling. This allows students to create viewable pop-up books. Students drag and drop elements/characters into stories, they create their own narratives from scratch or digital applications from other sources. They can create their own digital portfolios of creative work as well. I believe this kind of technology will open student's creativity to a whole new level, not to mention a new level of fun. AR will encourage students to learn, create and share. 


2.) How does AR and tools such as Zooburst benefit teachers?
Teachers have a great and easy way of teaching/introducing technology and computer use to children in their classroom. Teachers will be able to see more creativity coming from their student's work, grading will be more enjoyable with more original projects. Teachers can learn more about their students (especially the more shy ones) since they will be more comfortable creating and sharing. Zooburst also has a private environment for student responses to each other's work which can encourage student discussion.