Aurasma - Augmented Reality

Aurasma is one of my new favorite apps. I learned about it last May when students at EdcampPhilly demonstrated its possibilities. When a student recommends an app... pay attention!

Here's how Aurasma works: take a picture of something with your iPad (or iPhone or certain Android devices). It could be an object or a picture on your classroom wall. Almost anything works. Then the fun begins. Using Aurasma, layer over top of that picture with another picture, an animation, or a video. This can be from your camera roll or the Aurasma library.

Now, when a student opens up Aurasma on his device and joins your channel, they can look around your room using the camera in the Aurasma app. When the camera picks up one of the objects you've layered over, the new picture or video pops up on the screen.

How could you use this in the classroom? Create a virtual wall for students. I plan on letting my techielit techs take over this project. When an administrator or parent enters my classroom, they can use an iPad or phone to check out research we've been conducting and projects we've completed, just by scanning the walls (handy, since most of our projects are digitized anyway).

More ideas:

• Foreign Languages - use Aurasma to write object names in the language of your choice. Students practice fluency by using the iPad to scan the room for layered objects. When a layered object is detected, a picture with the correct name pops up on the iPad. 
• History - Digitize a timeline on your classroom wall. Students scan dates and pictures or videos pop up related to that date.
• Math - Post common formulas on a bulletin board. Students use their iPads to scan the formulas and video tutorials pop up.
• Science - Use Aurasma for a science lab. Students scan samples of various larvae and see the adult stage for each bug. 

You can also layer 3D objects, but I haven't played with this feature yet. Check it out in action:


Did I mention it's free? After poking around on their website this morning, I also learned that the images can be interactive - you can add buttons and links. I will have to try these features. Nifty!