Augmented Reality Exploration

              For this quest, I was able to explore a couple of really awesome augmented reality apps that would have application in the classroom.

1) AirMeasure - AirMeasure is an app that has the capability of measuring things using the camera on your phone. I used AirMeasure on my iPhone 5 using iOS 11.4.1. By placing the item in the phone's view, the user is able to create lines that are automatically measured. This app would be great for a math class working on area, perimeter or volume. It would also be great for someone who is deciding if a piece of furniture would fit well within a room in their home. In addition to measuring, the app also allows you to check and see if things are level using a leveling laser. It can also create a grid system on a wall with equally sized squares for those who are OCD about where items should be on a wall or in a room. AirMeasure has a feature that allows you to put a picture on a wall to see how it would look. You can upload said picture from your phone or take one when using the device. The device also allows you to create floor plans using measurements within a room. Lastly, the coolest feature is the field templates. You can look through your phone and it look as it you are standing on a field, court, etc. using your current environment. To the right is a picture of my measurements of the podium in my classroom and a virtual picture of my dog that I have placed in the background.



2) CivilisationsAR by BBC - CivilisationsAR is an augmented reality app that allows users to learn about world history by placing artifacts on surfaces within the room. I accessed CivilisationsAR on my iPhone 5 using iOS 11.4.1. CivilisationsAR is an informational app that is perfect for world history classes.

1) Students choose an artifact to view. They are able to pick artifacts from history by region as they search over the globe [as seen to the left] or by themes (early civilization, human body, faith, encounters, progress and modernity).








2) Students then choose an artifact to be displayed virtually in front of them. The likeness and detail of the item is truly amazing. In the picture to the right,  I have placed a mummy on a desk in my classroom. To the left, I have placed the Rosetta Stone on a desk in my classroom.

3) Next, students are able to hear information about the artifact. Each artifact has 'hot spots' where audio or video is embedded and the user can learn about said artifact.


As a social studies teacher, this application is phenomenal and (best of all) free.