ISCI 761: Augmented Reality (Week 13)
As educators, we continue to seek out technological advances, engaging activities, and new learning experiences for our students. The use of virtual and augmented reality within the school setting has the potential to bring each of these elements together. One popular AR program is offered by Metaverse, and the best part is that it is completely free!
A computer is necessary to set up the account and create the AR experiences, then a mobile device can be used to view them. Once you create an account, the Metaverse website has a variety of resources to help you get started, including many tutorial videos that explain the different components offered and provide examples of how to use them. Each created experience comes with a QR code that can be scanned through a mobile device, such as a phone or tablet, to activate the experience. When creating, many interactive elements can be included in your experience, such as 360 pictures and videos, polls, photo opportunities, and so much more. The program already has numerous images, 3D pictures, and gifs that can be included when developing an AR experience.
There are quite a few ways that this program can be used in the school library setting. Educators can bring meet the teacher night to a whole new level with an AR-infused orientation as students and their families familiarize themselves with the teacher and classroom or library environment (Rodriquez, 2018). Using Metaverse technologies can also provide students with a very active and engaging way to participate in curriculum review (Rodriquez, 2018). This program also has the potential to be used for book trailers, interactive newsletters, video explanations for homework, and digital story walks, all accessible with the quick scan of a QR code (Oddone, 2019). Students and librarians can even create their own AR storybooks by adding images, dialogue, and voice recordings to their storytelling experience (GoMeta, 2018). Students have also used this program to create their own interactive study guides (Young, 2020). In addition to the development of academic and social skills through this program, students will also have the opportunity to enhance their digital literacy skills and understanding of electronic devices and technologies (Massis, 2015). The possibilities are truly endless with this AR program, and you can guarantee that your students will be engaged!
For more information, use the links below to access the Metaverse platform, watch tutorial videos about creating experiences, and learn about the many ways you could incorporate this AR experience into your school library.
Metaverse Studio: https://studio.gometa.io/landing
4th grade class: https://medium.com/metaverseapp/metaverse-changed-my-4th-grade-classroom-cdd3d691d520
Additional use ideas: https://www.scisdata.com/connections/issue-110/even-better-than-the-real-thing-virtual-and-augmented-reality-in-the-school-library/
References
GoMeta Inc. (2018, December 13). Create an interactive story. Medium. https://medium.com/metaverseapp/create-an-interactive-story-db5a842568fa
Massis, B. (2015). Using virtual and augmented reality in the library. New Library World, 116(11/12), 796–799. https://doi.org/10.1108/nlw-08-2015-0054
Oddone, K. (2019). Even better than the real thing? virtual and augmented reality in the school library. SCIS Schools Catalogue Information Services. https://www.scisdata.com/connections/issue-110/even-better-than-the-real-thing-virtual-and-augmented-reality-in-the-school-library/
Rodriquez, Y. (2018, October 22). Metaverse changed my 4th-grade classroom. Medium. https://medium.com/metaverseapp/metaverse-changed-my-4th-grade-classroom-cdd3d691d520
Young, L. J. (2020, April 7). Get the most from AR/VR technology without breaking the budget. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/get-the-most-from-ar-vr-technology-without-breaking-budget-library
ReplyDeleteHi Christina,
Metaverse seems like such a fun and creative tool to incorporate in the library and classroom, mainly because it’s free. You listed very unique examples of how teachers and students can use Metaverse: meet the teacher night, curriculum review, and storybooks. I love the idea of using Metaverse to create storybooks. This would be an interesting way for students to create and tell their own stories instead of writing a paper. Metaverse allows users the creative freedom to make whatever they want.
Great post!
Kacee Merritt
Hi Christina!
ReplyDeleteWhat I like the most out of your post is how you used student devices in a positive way. And how you don't need a headset to experience AR or VR. The use of this technology is so much more affordable these days. I like the creative freedom as well. Think about instead of having to always tell students to put their phone away during class, but instead give them the opportunity to use them in a more beneficial way. Thank you for sharing your take on the Metaverse and this resource!
Fannie Boeman
Hi Christina! I think incorporating technology in any capacity to encourage learning on a platform that is relatable to students is both innovative and exciting. When I first learned of the meta-verse I was overwhelmed and taken back however I do appreciate how you have you have focused it into an education entity. I look forward to exploring how these ideas and tools can continue to impact student learning in the future.
ReplyDelete