Today in school, we talked about augmented reality and virtual reality in the classroom. I have to say that I cannot believe we are there in terms of technology. After many decades of talking about it in Science Fiction, we finally have a way to use technology to almost teleport ourselves to anywhere in the world and create new immersive experiences without having to leave our house. It is crazy!
Augmented Reality in schools
So first, we talked about how augmented reality could enhance pedagogy and make some subject even more engaging and entertaining. We talked about a school in Kitsilano that used augmented reality to talk about graduating students in 1944 faced a big dilemma: they had to choose if they were going to enlist to fight in the war or finish their study. Through augmented reality, students had the chance to walk a space and immerse themselves with video footage recorded on that same space. Numerous activities were also created to help students understand the complexities of that dilemma, and connect space, place and time. Even though there are more than half a century that separates those students from the ones in 1944, augmented reality allowed them to feel connected to them, put themselves in their shoes and have a real reflection on history.
While history can sometimes feel far away from us, augmented reality can give us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in crucial times. Since there is a real immersion, the connection with the material can be even stronger that way.
And what about virtual reality?
I was impressed to see how the Archeology program can use virtual reality to help their students train for dig sites. It makes the learning even more experiential and I do believe that it even allows for opportunities that otherwise would be impossible. It is true, going to archeological sites can be expensive and by doing with virtual reality could can get the same kind of technical and procedural training without having to fly to Europe or a specific site. I would also think that virtual reality could be use in high school to travel in geography, explore some systems in biology, or learn how to do numerous technical tasks without having to buy or have access to sophisticated equipment.
But what about QR codes?
Of course, it is exciting to see how those technologies can be used in the classroom, but they are quite expensive. Maybe QR codes could be a solution since every cellphone can read them and they can be easily created on a free website. QR codes are also pretty straightforward and on the contrary of augmented reality, they don’t require an anchor in a real room. You can print the anchor and stick them anywhere you like, change their place, and use them over time. The auras in augmented reality are relying on a physical space that has to stay the same. It might be difficult for teachers who don’t have a classroom.
Also, there is an age limit on virtual reality according to some people. I do believe that it has to be carefully used and I am very conscious that I cannot go into schools thinking they will even have a cart of Ipads or each students will have their own cellphones.
Exploring Augmented Reality
And then we had the chance to play with HR Reveal an Augmented Reality app on Ipad. It was so easy to create an aura and add videos or texts to it that I cannot stop thinking about how I could add it in my class. Imagine if students were working on the variety of French around the world and would pick a Francophone country to research. Then, we could create a gigantic map with auras and students could add videos, audios, texts of whatever they found on their country. It could be interactive and fun!
I am also thinking that we could create a Scavanger Hunt for information or words. We could use it as a form of presentation when they learn something. We could even use it over the course of the year and plant new information and new aura each week in our class. It is powerful, easy and so much fun! I cannot wait to use it in my class.
