3 AR/VR resources that fuel students' curiosity

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As my district's technology Explorations teacher, I am tasked with finding and incorporating the latest technology resources into classrooms in effective and engaging ways. One of my biggest goals as a technology instructor is to teach my students skills and provide them with the tools that I believe will best fuel their curiosity and prepare them for the world outside the classroom. While there is so much interesting technology available now, there is one that particularly captivates me: virtual and augmented reality.

In case you missed it, according to microsoft, augmented reality (AR) adds digital elements in addition to the real world and often has a limited ability to interact. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive experience that transports the user to a new reality where they do not see the real world around them, usually with the help of a headset or some similar device. I particularly love using these types of resources with upper elementary students. Because? I find that these tech-savvy students are particularly attracted to innovative digital content.

As the use of AR and VR has become more widespread through universal features like filters, digital mapping tools, and games, I have tried to incorporate them into my classroom. I've tried a few different resources, but these are my three favorites:

Edge at Hudson Yards

I recently took my students to New York City with the new Reach for the Sky virtual reality experience from Discovery Education and Edge at Hudson Yards. It was a big hit with my third graders! With headphones and navigators, my students were able to see what it felt like to walk into the New York City skyline and float above the bustling streets from 1,131 feet in the air.

I used the tour as a starting point for a lesson in my 3^third undergraduate technology Explorations class and created a question guide to accompany it, functioning as a scavenger hunt in a sense, as students used the elements of the tour to find the answers. The activity required them to watch the introductory video included in the virtual tour, analyze the information included in the weather function, and make observations about their surroundings while flying the drone. The accompanying educator's guide also gave me some useful information, including some fun project-based learning ideas that really engaged the kids.

Students were captivated by the immersive nature of the experience. It kept them interested throughout the 45 minutes of class. As any educator can tell you, it's no easy task! This virtual reality experience was a great alternative to static research as it allowed students to see what it would feel like to look out over the New York skyline. Another great resource from Discovery Education is the Sandbox AR app – it really helps develop students' curiosity and skills in AR/VR!

AR Civilizations

BBC AR brings art from around the world to life. Civilizations AR is a companion to the BCC television series of the same name, but can be used independently. Using the iOS or Android app, students explore incredible artifacts and famous sites such as an Egyptian mummy, Rodin's Kiss from the National Museum of Wales, notable sculptures and many priceless pieces of art.

I loved using this tool in a science class. For example, we investigated the Torquay Museum mummy and talked about the scientific process behind mummification. Naturally, this lent itself to an interdisciplinary discussion about the “why” behind mummification and the cultural significance of the process. My students loved seeing the real-world connections behind scientific processes and how humans have used science for millennia to create amazing things like art.

makr

Another AR tool I have used with students is Makr. I was introduced to the Makr app during a session with Apple at the Pennsylvania Educational technology Conference and Expo earlier this year. This app gives students the opportunity to create scenes that overlay characters and objects over the real world. Its implementation requires the use of spatial reasoning and world-building, and truly allows students to make anything an AR/VR experience.

I also incorporated sequential storytelling when I used this app with fifth grade, as they had to use the characters available through the app to act out a fairy tale, such as the Three Little Pigs. My students loved how they could build things themselves and explore just about anywhere.

Overall, I have found that my AR lessons have generated tremendous engagement for me. Incorporating AR and VR into my technology classes has allowed me to promote 21st century skills, such as research and digital literacy, while making learning fun for students and relevant to life outside the classroom.

If you're feeling nervous or unsure about AR/VR, my advice is to dive right in! Many resources out there are free, such as content from Discovery Education, Google, Verizon, Microsoft, and more, while others have free aspects. This gives you, as an educator, room to play and even room to fail and succeed. My kids love AR/VR, and I know yours will too!

Every year that I have been teaching, I have found more resources and tools with greater depth when it comes to teaching augmented and virtual reality, and I am excited to see how it continues to grow.