The Amazing Spider-man AR

I have been playing around with augmented reality for a few months.      We are at the beginning of AR possibilities and future developments will be exciting.  As much fun as I have had with it, I have wondered how it could be used in the classroom.

While at the Slide2Learn conference in July, I attended a workshop on AR facilitated by Nathan Jones.  Jones talked about how he uses AR in the classroom with his students.  Using AR to spark ideas for story-writing was one of the ideas he shared.

The Amazing Spider-man AR is a great app for Spiderman lovers.   By downloading the free app from the App store, and printing the series of free markers from the site, users can shoot spiderman's web, swing across buildings, capture baddies and climb brick walls.  Lots of ideas for story starters here.  I can see that reluctant writers could be drawn in to story writing this way.

The iPad as a Tool for Education

Longfield Academy in the UK have implemented an iPad programme. This report, published by Naace in July 2012, outlines how the iPads have been used for teaching and learning in the two terms since the programme started.

 The Executive summary is as follows:

"This study, one of the most extensive yet regarding the use of tablet devices finds that with the majority of pupils at the school now having iPads there has been a significant and very positive impact on learning together with further significant and still developing changes in pedagogy. In particular it was found that:

• The overwhelming majority of teachers regularly use iPads in their teaching
  
• iPad use is particularly strong in English, Maths and Science
  
• There is high demand from students for iPad use to be extended further
  
• Teachers have identified significant benefits for their workload and have also
  identified cost savings
  
• Use of the iPads is increasingly being developed for homework and beyond
  school activities
  
• Students are more motivated when using iPads
  
• The quality and standard of pupil work and progress is rising
  
• Both staff and student feel they can work more effectively with iPads
  
• Levels of collaborative working have improved
  
• Appropriate use of Apps aids learning
  
• All find the iPad easy to use
  
• Minor technical issues have arisen, often due to user error, but are readily dealt
  with
  
• Effective project management has been critical to the success of this development.
  The outcomes at Longfield clearly demonstrate the value of the iPad as an educational tool and the role that it can play in learning and teaching." (p. 4) 
  

ABC Spy

ABC Spy is the perfect app to support children learning the ABC.  What I like most about this app is how it gives the opportunity to create your own ABC library of photos.  Each letter is introduced in the normal way - the letter and the sound of the letter but then... wait there's more!  You actually get to use the camera to take a photo of an 'something' beginning with that letter.  You have the possiblility of creating a folder for each child and each child taking their own photos.  I really support apps that allow for the creativity of children.  Give this one a try and let us know what  you think.  It's as easy as ABC!

Step 1 - Choose a user or create a new user by clicking on the + button - it will give you the option of adding a photo to each user.

Step 2 - Start spying!

Step 3 - Listen to the letter and the sound of the letter and then Add a Photo by tapping the camera...

Step 4 - Take your photo - once you have taken your photo you get the option of choosing a frame and typing in what your photo is.  Once you have finished you can move on to the next letter/sound.

Lego Super Hero Movie Maker

This Lego app - the Super Hero Movie Maker -  uses stop motion to record movies.  This app is simple to use and it takes no time to create a movie.  It works well on all iDevices and best of all it is free.

Users can select from a range of title pages, soundtracks and filters, all with a super hero theme.

Check out a quick movie made in less than two minutes by one of my children (I am sure the storyline will get better with practice :-)

Postnote:  After making the original movie above and showing it to others , adiscussion was had about clarity of photos and the need for the story to flow with two children working together for the next version .......... will be interesting to see where this develops.

Also check out the animation from Room 7 at Normandale School where they have started using the Lego Super Hero Movie Maker.

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Location:Lego Movie

Skeletal Head & Neck Pro III

Skeletal Head & Neck Pro III  is a free app that enables users to explore the head and neck skeleton.  There is lots to this free app including:

•  rotating the skeleton can be rotated for a 360 degree view
• slice the skull for different views
• drawing tools
• labels with vocal pronunciation 
• and if you are really keen there is a quiz to test your knowledge.  

Great for sharing with children.

Slicing the skull

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Location:Skeletal Head & Neck Pro III

Cross fingers

Cross Fingers is an addictive tangram puzzle.  There are levels for everyone including levels for children, novices and pros.  Great for building maths skills as the pieces are moved into position.  There are lots of challenges to be had, and new levels to unlock as you progress through the game.  It is currently free through iTunes








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102 Interesting Ways to Use an iPad in the Classroom

A great resource collated by Tom Barrett.  Check out the 102 ways here and add any others you may utilise.