Augmented Reality VS. Virtual Reality

            Augmented and virtual reality are becoming more evident in the classroom as technology improves. These realities can be used for teaching in the classroom, video gaming, and just for fun. Being an educator I am personally more interested in how augmented and virtual reality can be used in the classroom setting, to learn how they can be used first we need to learn what augmented and virtual reality are about.

            Augmented reality is when a computerized image is placed on top of your real world. In this instance we would use a type of application, on a phone or tablet. An example of this would be AR flashcards. This is a free app. To use the program, you would go on their website (http://arflashcards.com/get-flashcards/) and print out the flashcards. Then you would download the app “AR flashcards,” on your phone or tablet. Once the app is downloaded you simply scan over a card and the picture will come to life. Below is an example of what the printed cards look like (on the left) and what it looks like when you scan over the cards (on the right). You can also click on the animal when you scan it with the app and it will say the letter and the animal.

            

             Virtual reality is when you cannot see anything around you. You are immersed in a completely new environment. Again in this instance we would need to use a type of application, on a phone. An example of this would be google cardboard. Google cardboard is a piece of cardboard that is shaped to be a headset. You place your mobile device inside the cardboard with a video playing. Here is a link to a video you could use. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3VJAgcrSIA) To be able to use this virtual reality you would need to purchase the google cardboard headset. To buy this cardboard you could go to https://store.google.com/product/google_cardboard?utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sem&utm_medium=desktop&utm_content=plas&utm_campaign=Cardboard&gl=us&gclid=CjwKEAiAjIbBBRCitNvJ1o257WESJADpoUt0Cwoc6lR5Xy6ZNecVl2F5sadG4fz1VJl2F56gJ8OibxoCbbLw_wcB&sku=_google_cardboard_single . They are fairly cheap and simple to use.

            As an educator I was wondering how these two realities would help me in a classroom setting and you may be wondering the same thing. As an educator I am currently observing a preschool classroom. The students in the class focus on their alphabet every day. The AR flashcards would come in handy for this instance. The students could take turns using the flashcards to learn more about their alphabet. I feel using this augmented reality gives the students a new experience and feeling. It makes them feel as if they are part of their learning experience.

            Virtual reality is a little different in a classroom setting. An example I can think of for using virtual reality in the classroom would be if a teacher is teaching a lesson on a specific country. The teacher could find a google cardboard video for that country and the students could feel like they are in that country. This would help the students better understand what they have learned about.

            I feel that virtual and augmented reality will most likely make a huge change in the way teachers teach, in the future. I feel as students become more advanced with technology they will become bored in the classroom and need a change in environment. Virtual and augmented reality allow a change in environment without having to leave the classroom. They could both be utilized well in the classroom.