Quiver is an Augmented Reality app. Augmented Reality is when you use technology to augment, or change your environment.
After printing out a Quiver coloring page, have fun and color it. Some, like The Dot or Starbucks Cup, you can decorate and really personalize.
After coloring or personalizing, grab your device. Open the Quiver app, and scan the sheet. Watch your artwork come to life.
Depending on the sheet, there may be options to move what is on your screen. Just click around and see.
Quiver has some great printables. There are some that support literacy events, like Dot Day. There are others that support content areas like Science, Social Studies, PE, or social emotional learning. Then there are some that just tap into students’ interests, like dragons.
The students love having time to color. And even more, they love seeing how their artwork is modified or augmented after they scan it. The dot can bounce, squish, and multiply. Others snow after being scanned. And then there are the ones where airplanes fly, cars drive, carousels move on the page, and soccer games are played. It’s great fun!
When introducing Quiver to students, I typically have them choose a coloring sheet first.
After giving them a good chunk of time to color, I show them how to use the app with the page.
Particularly with younger students, I show them how to hold the iPad and the relative distance to hold it above the sheet.
For Quiver to successfully work students need to make sure the image on their tablet screen gets a nice blue outline. This means that the printable is being scanned and their artwork is about to come to life!
One of the cool things about Quiver is that each printable has a different feature. The Starbucks cup gives a 360 view. The Frog Life Cycle shows each phase in action. All have something great and unique to offer. The key is teaching students how to use and explore the additional buttons at the bottom, or right of the screen
Teach Augmented Reality: This is one of the reasons why I love Quiver 3DBear, and Narrator. They allow me to introduce Augmented Reality (AR) to students. Even to my youngest students, 2 year-olds! This is such a hands on and concrete way to teach the difference between AR and VR (virtual reality).
Curriculum Connections: There are many curriculum connections you can make with Quiver. When my Kindergarteners are learning about and discussing transportation, I use this as an opportunity to merge media and classroom learning.
Stations: Frequently, there are a number of choices for different content areas. So I print a couple out and put them out at stations. Students then get to choose the station they want to work at. I also provide Quiver as an AR option when I am teaching AR, allowing students to make a choice about how they wish to engage with AR.
Enrichment: I like leaving Quiver activities available in our Command Center (where I keep all materials) for students to use when they finish their work. I also like to leave them for substitutes because it is not a heavy lift for them (after I have taught students how to use it, of course).
Community Building: Sometimes, I just provide students with a sport option, or animal option as a way to share their favorite with each other. It sparks great peer conversation while students are sharing their designs with each other. Other times, I have them design a Starbucks cup for a staff member. And the flag printable is also a great way to learn about each other and have some fun!
Quiver Masks and Fashion are also GREAT FUN! Be sure to check them out!
With younger students, I teach them to put their paper on the floor. The height that standing provides them makes it easier to scan the sheet. It also makes it easier for them to see what happens on their screen after scanning.
Older students can easily place the sheet on the chair or even the tabletop depending on the height of these items compared to your students’.
When I decide to use an app, there are a few things that I consider. I always wonder if it will be engaging for my students. Typically if I love it, they do as well. My enthusiasm is contagious.
I determine if it is applicable for many purposes and can be used outside of the media center. Lastly, I try to figure out how long it will take me to teach students to use. If the answer is less than a class period, I’m in.
Quiver meets all of that criteria. It doesn’t take long to learn and can be quickly taught to students. This is also why I have been using it for about 5 years now.
Get more ideas with the EdTech Guide Below.
