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Augmented Reality

X-ray

AR is often adopted to help students with complicated subjects. For example, in subjects requiring high spatial ability AR can play important role. Another application of augmented reality in education includes teaching global perspectives through virtual field trips. Augmented Reality has been used for about a decade to support teaching-learning processes. Traditional methodologies are increasingly taking a back seat and new didactic and pedagogical proposals are becoming more relevant, among them we find, in addition to some better known ones such as flipped learning, Project Based Learning or gamification, we also find that currently new technologies are being given greater prominence, among which we find AR and VR. In this sense, some institutions and companies saw the importance of emphasizing and promoting the use of these tools in the teaching of manual trades such as welding or construction. The possibility of learning and practicing in a simulated digital space has as a consequence, above all, the avoidance of risks to health and physical integrity, as well as the reduction of the use of resources that are going to be discarded or are highly polluting.

Benefits of AR​

AR can have a significant impact on learning environments. Student interest soars with the opportunity to creating content. AR technologies can allow them to add to valuable content, create virtual worlds. Classes that exploits AR can help students become more involved and collaborate.

AR can help memorize complicated processes. For example, instead of just presenting photographs on a projector showcasing typical mistakes in creating an artifact, a teacher can use AR technology to make memorable connections that lead to failure or success. Moreover, AR technology helps teachers create lesson plans with experiences. Students can carry out physical activities instead of watching a demonstration. This approach can help with sensory development.

AR Tools​

Assemblr​

an image will come here

The Assemblr Studio is an app that you use via your computer's web browser. The 3D library is notable with animated objects and many educational items to include in your class. The platform is simple to use, and it allows more personalizations than many of the other tools. The free options are acceptable for many classrooms, and the cost to upload a customized trigger image (also called marker) is affordable. View my AR experience using the Assemblr app by scanning it.

CLICK here to see our example

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  1. read the QR code with your smartphone.
  2. The QR reader gives you a link to open. Open it.
  3. You will be redirected to our example. First time it may take some time.
  4. The app will appear in your browser. You can choose between '3D' an 'AR' options.
  5. Select 'AR'. The smartphone camera will be switched on showing what the camera sees in front of you with a small yellow circle in the middle of the screen.
  6. Direct your phone to the table and tap on the yellow circle.
  7. The little figure of our teacher will appear as a paper cutout on your desktop.

Steps:

  1. Go to Assemblr Studio and find the browser based application. You may need to register for free.
  2. Select “Create New Project” and give your project a name.
  3. Add the 3D objects, pictures, or videos you want to include in your experience.
  4. Place and modify the items on the marker area to customize the experience.
  5. Select “Publish” and download the marker or share the link to view your experience.
  6. You may download the application to your smartphone to create AR materials.
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Cost: Free with the QR code

Creation Platform: Download application on

Ease of Use: Easy with added optional features

Features: Use your images or videos, a large and animated 3D object library, 3D objects can be uploaded with a subscription (otherwise 8 MB is the file limit)

EyeJack Creator​

eyejack_banner

The EyeJack app is one of the easiest platforms to use because it’s essentially limited to adding a short video on top of a trigger image. With another feature you can make small exhibitions that are projected into the air in front of the viewer. The application must be installed on your computer. An audio upload is available to include a voice-over or ambient sound. Watch the video to see how easy it is: https://eyejackapp.com/pages/panels

CLICK here to see our eyejack demo exhibition

The exhibition is about skething freehand stop motion animation. See our example by scanning this code below with your smartphone.

eyejack_demo_for_sketching_motion_pics

TAP HERE if you see this on a smartphone or tablet

Steps:

  1. Download the EyeJack app onto your computer.
  2. Upload a trigger image (JPG or PNG file).
  3. Upload a video, GIF or PNG to layer on top of the trigger image in the augmented reality experience.
  4. Keep the QR provided to view in the app.
  5. Download the EyeJack app on your mobile device (iOS & Android).
  6. Open the app and select the eye at the bottom of the screen. Scan the QR code (found in step 4) and then view the trigger image.
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Cost: Free for 100 views per month no longer than 30 secs.

Creation Platform: Download application on a computer.

Ease of Use: Easy

Features: Use your videos pictures and audio files with a 3 MB limit in free version. See pricing plans on their website.

WebAR​

webar logo intro

The WebAR resource is a favorite tools of many because it uses WebXR to make all the magic happen in the browser. Without the need to download an app, it makes the experience run much faster. You can make a wide range of experiments with the app. You can create your avatar and place on your company logo for fun, or you can make professional visuals for education purposes.

CLICK here to see our WEBAR demo

See our example by scanning this code below with your smartphone.

webar_logo_demo

TAP HERE if you see this on a smartphone or tablet

This small can be made in 10-15 minutes depending on your experience and your appropriate materials.

Steps:

  1. Go to mywebar.com and select “Sign Up” to set up an account.
  2. Select “Add New Project.”
  3. Give the project a name and select the type of AR experience you want (QR code is free), then select “Create.”
  4. Upload or use the content available in the library to layer on the QR code.
  5. Select the save image and scan the QR code with a mobile device.
info

Cost: Free for QR code.

Creation Platform: Web-based.

Ease of Use: Very easy

Features: Use your videos and 3D object files, large 3D library on the site, added interactions in the AR experience. Many tutorials and templates

Further information​

  • If you want to develop simple games or interactive apps it is good to begin with an instructable at https://www.instructables.com/Augmented-Reality-Tutorial-for-Beginners-With-Vufo/ This tutorial shows you how to make an augmented reality app in Unity 3D with Vuforia. The game is an interactive ball maze that can be built to Android or IOS. It utilizes the front facing camera to track an image target. This video also goes through how to build the app for Google Cardboard so the game can be played with virtual reality headsets.
  • If you want to learn how to make 3 dimensional (3D) models, see https://www.instructables.com/How-to-make-your-first-3D-model/ This tutorial will introduce Google Sketchup, an easy to use modelling software to you.
  • If you want to go into details or just want to know all the terms and relations in 3D modelling this guide from the gaming world is warmly recommended.
  • In case you want to learn to design games or interactive simulations, try Unitiy a software designed to create 2D and 3D games. According to the relating wikipedia entry it is free for personal use and companies with a relatively small yearly revenue.