Have we lost our way with Augmented Reality in Education?

Why do we use technology in our classroom? Eye Candy? Because it's cool? Of course the answer is NO, but why do we keep making the same mistakes?

Let's take a look at Augmented Reality in Education as an example. The eye candy - irrelevant 3D models! Dinosaurs and crazy animated characters jumping of the screen. Big impact - Absolutely. Engaging? Absolutely! But engaged in what? The learning process? Maybe not.

Let's use Augmented Reality in classrooms to:

engage in the learning process
teach/explore key learning concepts
persuade the mind

Next time you use Aurasma or any other AR platform ask yourself "why am I doing this with my students?"

We know ICT integration should have reason and purpose. We have a responsibility to teach in a manner that reflects our philosophical beliefs.
https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/augmented-reality-in-education/id641019829?ls=1

Augmented Reality in Education featured on the iBookstore

Proud to announce Augmented Reality in Education featured on the iBookstore in the Made with iBooks Author category and the New Category.
Download below.
https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/augmented-reality-in-education/id641019829?mt=11

AR in Education

“Whilst technologies such as QR Codes and Hyperlinks provide a valuable service with holding data and directing individuals to external sites, Augmented Reality connects real life objects, places and people around us to a variety of information and simulated experiences. The power of students self exploring the physical world around them and discovering for themselves should never be underestimated.
Learning should be connected to life and the experiences our students have already been through and will go through. This will enable more authentic learning experiences for our students. The results outlined later in this book look at a Mathematics Augmented experience. Linking an effective video tutorial to that of a real life object resonates with students. As one of my students stated:
“Next time I look at any triangle in the world, I will remember how to work out the area”.
This comment reinforces the inadequacies of linking tools such as QR Codes and traditional Hyperlinks. By linking a structured lesson to that of a real life objects, the student automatically makes connection with other real life objects resulting in a conceptual learning approach. ”

Excerpt From: Hamilton, Paul. “Augmented Reality In Education.” v1.2. Paul Hamilton, 2013. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.

Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=641019829

Augmented Reality in Education iBook

Paul Hamilton has just published a free multi touch iBook on the use of Augmented Reality in Education. Outlining statistics, influences on the mind and practical tutorials for creating an AR experiences for students, this book is proving to be a valuable edition to your iBook library. And the best thing it is a FREE iBook.

Using Augmented Reality in the Primary Classroom

Using Augmented Reality in the Primary Classroom. Apple Distinguished Educator Paul Hamilton looks at how to create an Augmented Reality experience for his students in a Primary/Elementary Classroom setting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOJDFEQ4_LM

Best Apps for kids forum

Best Apps for kids forum from the State Library Queensland featuring speaker Paul Hamilton.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/29314935

Why schools need to explore Augmented Reality!

I was first exposed to Augmented Reality about 18 months ago. From the very start I thought it was a magical and powerful tool for learning. As I started experimenting with AR it became more evident that AR was more than a flashy trend that would die a slow death like many other edtech trends over the past year.

Why did I become excited about AR in Education?
1. It harnessed and built on the students need/natural curiosity to explore and discover.
2. It allowed me as a teacher to Personalise Learning.
3. It made direct connections between detail images and key concepts.

18 months later I am even more excited about what AR can do in Education. I continue to make connections with teaching and learning and I have seen first hand that AR is more powerful/relevant than QR codes and traditional links. The proof is watching and testing the students who are using AR. This is more than engagement, this is engagement in learning!

About the Author:
Creator of the Science AR App, the critically acclaimed educational app Formative Feedback for Learning and the revolutionary iBook series My Prep Year, Paul Hamilton is changing the way digital content is being delivered in schools.

Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2013. Paul is a leader in the implementation of Augmented Reality in schools to improve learning outcomes, Professional Development of staff with integration of ICTs, and has expertise in the implementation of mobile devices into pedagogical frameworks.