I have seen Augmented Reality in a classroom setting through a blog called Kleinspiration (Klein, 2013) a few years go. Augmented Reality connects content such as books or pictures to things on the internet such as videos or documents you have made to give more information about the content. Sometimes this includes 3D images as well. I hadn't had a chance to use it in my class until last year, however I wasn't successful with implementing with the students due to some technical issues. So as a teacher and librarian I hope to be able to use this program for devices like tablets and smart phones more often.
I was unaware that there were two types of Augmented Reality using location (activated like using GPS when near area using Augmented Reality) or picture activated. Meredith (2014) talks about how location based Augmented Reality is limited due to security inside buildings so it is only outside. However this hopefully will not be a problem in later years. So my focus will be on picture based Augmented Reality in the classroom or library.
Meredith (2015) gives some really good suggestions with using Augmented Reality in the library particularly with students that are non-readers and emergent readers. One way is giving book suggestions for a book that the student has already read that is similar. The kinder student would scan the book cover using a mobile device and it would bring up a list of books that are similar or a website with suggestions. I think this would be great idea but the librarian would need to do quite a bit of research and linking of books to each other before this could be implemented. Unless someone already has this set up it will be a very lengthy process time wise. I do feel that it would be helpful despite the heavy time factor.
Another suggestion was using Augmented Reality in a book to give more information as you read. So if a student was reading a book about great white sharks there would be link for a video on a page in the book. Or it could bring up a list of other books you may want to look into. I think this would be one easy way to implement this technology by starting with popular books and then work to less popular.
The last suggestion I would use is using Augmented Reality to guide how to choose books. You could have pictures on top of bookshelves or even links on covers of books that could give a book review or book trailer. I think this also would be easy to implement and have a small time factor for elementary libraries.
Meredith (2015) briefly touches on using Augmented Reality for directional reference (where is ___ in the library), promoting events in the library and skill instruction. There has been little research on these with young students but they have been successful in adult libraries. There are also downsides as with most technology. The technology may not work when you want it to, programs need to be bought or made to bring up what you wanted, and students may get overwhelmed by all the going back and forth,; are just a few of the possible problems librarians and students may face.
Despite the possible problems I think this is a great way to get students engaged and involved not only in the library but with reading and school work.
References:
Klein, E. (2013). Tons of classroom examples using augmented reality with @aurasma – a complete how-to guide! Retrieved from http://kleinspiration.com/using-augmented-reality-via-aurasma-in/
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