Augmented Reality and Makerspaces are a natural fit.
Augmented Reality is when you augment, or change, your reality. A makerspace is a place where students can make, share, learn, and explore.
Not to mention that Augmented Reality is an incredibly FUN tools to use with students. It is highly engaging for them and they LOVE creating and consuming content.
When using ARVR with students, the enthusiasm and engagement is unmatched. Augmented and Virtual Reality are more than just a fun tool or gimmick to engage students.
Keep reading for 4 quick lessons to get students moving, making, & learning through augmented makerspaces.
Makerspaces can happen in classrooms, libraries, STEM labs, and remotely. Makerspaces are less about the space and more about what students are doing. When in a makerspace, students are making, exploring, learning, and sharing. AR is all about changing reality. That can happen in any physical space.
Most people believe believe that makerspaces can only happen in a library. Libraries do make a great deal of sense for makerspaces because they typically have a lot of room and librarians are trained to teach inquiry and tech skills.
Makerspaces can also happen in classrooms. Some PreK and 1st Grade teachers in my building have built makerspaces into their physical spaces and schedules. Their students have time a few days a week to engage in makerspace thinking and doing.
These are great times to give students an opportunities to use augmented reality as part of this makerspace time.
Students do not need to be in the same room as the teacher when using AR. Whether teaching in person or remotely, make augmented reality something you try this year.
Some of the great things about using augmented reality in person include:
Some of the great things about using augmented reality virtually include:
To be honest, not all augmented reality is free. Some do cost money. If you are fortunate enough to have some funds to spend on AR, I highly recommend CoSpace (for laptops) and 3DBear (for tablets).
There are a plenty of FREE augmented reality apps that invite your students to create. Creation is important because it puts students in the driver’s seat. Not to mention, it engages the brain differently.
Checkout these 4 AR apps that are perfect for makerspaces:
Below are 4 QUICK lessons you can do tomorrow. They are no prep on your part. All that needs to be done is pull the book and make sure the app is downloaded! The read alouds are suggestions; use any that’re pretty darn close!
It is not recommended to use apps for the sake of using them. It is better to connect them to content and link them to standards. These lessons below are perfect for introduction lessons where students are learning how to use the app.
3DBear: Read aloud That’s What Dinosaur’s Do. Students use 3DBear to create their own dinosaur scene of William roaring (or sadly not).
Coding Club: Read aloud Little Red’s Riding ‘Hood. Students use the app Coding Club to code Little Red out of the woods.
Twinkl Robotics: Read aloud The Most Magnificent Thing. Students use the Twinkl Robotics app to build their own robot.
ARchitect: Read aloud Iggy Peck, Architect. Students use the ARchitect app to build their own bridge (or any building).
Once students have had this initial introduction to any of these apps, then you can get into more intricate lessons with each of these apps!
As long as students have access to the app at home they can also complete these activities during hybrid and/or distance learning. If students are using school assigned devices, the apps can be pushed out remotely.
For more ideas on using Augmented Reality download this handy guide! It includes quick teaching ideas for AR apps like 3Dbear, Quiver, and Narrator AR.
It also includes tips for introducing apps to students, which ages they are perfect for, and cost (if any).
