Augmented Reality and me

Wow, I just got nominated as Member of the Week on the Enabling E-Learning VLN community! Made my day...

Then I thought, Oops better add something to my blog (which I don't seem to have enough time to do anymore)

I have been playing around with Augmented Reality at Tahuna Normal Intermediate. There are a number of ios apps that use AR, some neat little games (check out Fetch: Lunchtime Rush or AR Dinosaurs as examples), and showcases like String.

But what I wanted was something that would let me (or other teachers) create AR content that could be used in the classroom.

Bring in Aurasma, a web-based AR studio that lets you create your own AR content and targets (the things you point your device at to trigger the AR content)

Signing up is free, and gives you access to the online Aurasma studio which lets you create your triggers and overlays. There is a free ios & android app (Aurasma lite) which lets you view 'Auras', and create simple ones.

We have created 'Auras' for our school signage. If someone points their device at one of our school signs they get a nifty surprise.

I have also been working with the School Librarian to create video book reviews, which she then posts on the Tahuna Library Youtube Channel. We also create Auras for each book, so that when students point their ipad at the selected book, the video book review is overlayed on the cover! Neat.

You can check this out yourself by downloading the Aurasma app. You will then need to subscribe to the Tahuna Normal Intermediate channel. You can do this within the app. Once done point your device at the picture below...

Let us know what you think. I have many ideas about how to use this in the classroom, and I know others are doing great stuff too.

Up to the minute info!

Sadly due to little fingers, my iPad suffered a mishap a week ago. I finally got time to take it into YooBee to be sent off for a replacement screen. With much reluctance I handed it over with the promise it would only take a week to be fixed.
Two days later, me being me, I wanted more information. Had they sent it on yet? Was it just sitting somewhere waiting? I could ring YooBee, but I would just get 'Yes, we have sent it, shouldn't be too long now' stuff.
Aha, enter icloud.com and find my iphone. Yesterday I watched my ipad make it's way up the South Island and cross the strait to spend the night in Wellington. Right now it's sitting in a truck stop in Taupo!

Talk about up to the minute information.

Back again?

It's been quite a while since my last post, life and work seemed to conspire to leave me no room to blog.

Then Google release an iOs app for blogger and I have to give it a try. We'll just have to see if it makes me a better blogger...

Screentoaster.com

During the Kidz@conference, I had to use a computer lab and couldn't use my laptop to screencast.
Screentoaster.com to the rescue! An online screencasting tool, it allowed me to capture the work the kids had done during the workshops and save them so that thye could take it back to school.

Here is a handy how-to gujide I found on Scribd.com to help you get started.
  Screen Toaster Step by Step Directions

Meet the Zimmer twins

I have been taking workshops with kids and teachers exploring the Zimmer twins website at the Kidz@conference this year in Dunedin. (www.zimmertwins.com).

This is a great site if you or your class want an easy way to create animated stories, or to add something to your language programme. With built in story starters, it makes a great spot to stimulate reluctant writers or to explore  a theme or topic.

Here is the handout from the workshop.

Meet the Zimmer Twins