Augmented Reality is the latest buzz word in any teen dictionary and it is here to stay! According to Aditya Misra a class XII student of Delhi, AR is the way for everything in today's times.
What is AR?
Augmented Reality pins a lot of data and information from the Internet on the real world so that our real world experience becomes more intense and exciting.
Pokémon GO is the first example of this technology in a widely used device like a mobile phone. The fact that the game has taken the world by a storm (more than 20 million players in the US alone in just a few weeks) shows that we are ready for some serious AR.
Can We Have AR In The Class
Believe it or not, 4D-AR can be used for learning too! This technology could bring alive concepts in biology, physics and math alive.
Take this smartphone app called 4D Anatomy. Once it is downloaded on the mobile (it's free for those having Apple or Android phones), you can print a couple of worksheets that are used by the app as ‘markers’.
How To Make AR At Home?
If you want to learn the concept of a working heart (Biology), follow these simple steps to get AR into your studyroom.
- Open the app and point the phone camera at the sheet
- Eureka, there is a 3D model of the heart floating in front of the screen.
- Different parts of the human heart can be identified using the corner menu dial.
There are AR apps for math, English and chemistry too.
How is AR different from Virtual Reality?
While AR mixes up the real and virtual worlds, anyone who is using AR can make out the difference between the two. In Virtual Reality, however, the user is immersed in the computer-generated virtual world so much so that the user cannot distinguish real world from the virtual one.
TOI Reporters Say They Would Love AR In Their Classes
It will be one of the biggest breakthroughs in technology if AR is brought into the classrooms. Imagine talking and touching a human heart in space while learning more about arteries and veins. AR will enhance learning and make it 100 times more interesting.
- Aashna Sethi, class IX, Somerville School, Noida
Let's wait another decade till this turns into reality. It will be interesting to see how concepts are brought alive with a click of a finger. AR will make the subject more interesting and practical. But this shouldn't take away from the theoretical aspects of learning.
- Swastik Patnaik, class X, Mother's International School, Delhi
I am waiting with bated breath to welcome these aps which support AR. School administration should allow these modern methods of teachinge because that is the future. I think in 10 years now, it will be bye bye blackboard.
- Rashi V Rao, class IX, Chennai
AR in maths and physics would be interesting and should be encouraged in all schools. This is the best way to understand complex subjects and visuals. There should be something like this for history as well. Will be great to learn about wars, by seeing them unfold in front of our eyes through videos. Fascinating times ahead.
- Vishal Chaudhury, class X, Blue Bells School
Ahead Of Our Times
I don't think AR is going to aide our style of teaching which banks heavily on theoretical concepts than practical. On the other hand it may disrupt classroom making kids lose focus and attention to detail. It is too ahead of our times.
Sharanya Bose, class XI, Convent School, Kolkata
What Our Teachers Say
Technology in education is evolving with time but we shouldn't blindly adapt everything into the classrooms. AR sounds like a great way to teach, but is this going to help our students in the future? We are all for 'fun learning' but at the same time it should be a huge value ad. Only time will tell how AR is going to benefit the youth and whether it should be implemented in the classes.
- Rakhi Ghosh, class teacher, Bal Bharati School
Would You Like To Use Augmented Reality In Your Classroom? Let Us Know In The Comments Below