Eye Catching News = 
Augmented News Report

I am so excited to announce the release of Eye Catching News.  This project takes current events and brings it to life.  With a help of a talented friend at AugThat we developed 2 unique triggers, one for World News and one for National News.  When you scan these triggers using the AugThat's STAR app (Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality) you will receive an animated news report.  What is the unique part is the stories will change about every two weeks or so.  The triggers will stay the same but the news stories will automatically change. 

Not only did we design these triggers but we also have developed lessons and or activities to go along with the news stories. Best of all the stories can be used at all grade levels.  You can download the lesson and or activity that best fits your needs.  There are some lesson/activities designed for younger students, older students along with question starters.  Being a technology teacher and knowing how important it is to have tech integration I've also included Tech Integration ideas and tools.  I broke down the tech integration into apps and web based tools since not everyone has iPad/tablets and or computers/netbooks/Chromebooks. 

Ideas:

• Start an interactive notebook and attach the two triggers to the cover or inside the spiral notebook, 3 tab folder, or a 3 ring binder. 
  
• Use the writing prompts to start a journal and or blog.
  
• Have students write/create digitally and submit their work via an LMS such as Edmodo.
• Post Question starters in an LMS such as Edmodo to create an online decision. 
• Mix and match the pre-made lessons. (Don't use the same one for each story.)
• Can be used as a center - self guided.

Using the Triggers:

1. Download the STAR app from AugThat (Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality)
2. Launch the App
3. Tap Start Lesson
4. Tap Current Events
5. Scan the Triggers

The Activities:

• Younger Students - World Events - Sheet 1
• Younger Students - World Events - Sheet 2
• Younger Students - National Events - Sheet 1
• Younger Students - National Events - Sheet 2
• Older Students - World Events - Sheet 1
• Older Students - World Events - Sheet 2
• Older Students - National Events - Sheet 1
• Older Students - National Events - Sheet 2

Other Activities & Triggers:

• Question Starters
• Tech Integration
• World Current Events Trigger
• National Current Events Trigger

I already of requests for a Science, Math, and a Person in History augmented lessons similar to the Current Events.  So keep your eyes peeled I am sure I can work something out. 

In the first three challenge I showed you how you could use pre-made triggers to enhance in learning.  In this challenge we are going to look at triggers that others have made and we are going to dive in just a little deeper to really enhance and start to transform learning.

When I refer to pre-made triggers I am referring to triggers that are already made for you and are ready to be used.  I myself love to create augmented content, so my triggers would be considered pre-made and ready for you to use. The augmented reality for education company Aug That has seen the need for teachers to share the augmented content that they are creating. Why create an augmented trigger and content for example dividing fractions if someone else has already have created it.  Why not just share it.  So they developed a teacher community called Teach Connect. Once you belong to the community you have access to what other teachers are creating and sharing.

No time to create an interactive board on adding integers. No problem use my trigger. Make it into a flashcard, sticker, have kids add it to their notes, and so much more. Want to show you students a birds eye view of the Oklahoma City memorial? Print the trigger as a flashcard, sticker, add it to your bulletin board or even your class newsletter. Studying the novel Kids On Strike and want to enhance the learning use the triggers I've made for each chapter of the book.  Print out the pictures and cut them in fourths. Scan each quarter, you will get a different augmented experience.  The put all the pieces back together for an additional experience.  Kind of like a puzzle. 

The Challenge:
You will need to contact the support team at Aug That tell them I sent you and you need a Teach Connect account.  Once you have your account log in and explore the content.  There are triggers for math, language arts, science, and social studies. There is even a 3D model of a Star Wars tank/ship.  The community is new and is growing. 

Steps:

• Pick one of the already made triggers.
  
• Print it out. (Flashcard, sticker, and etc...)
  
• Launch the Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality App (STAR)
  
• Select - Start Lesson
  
• Select - Teach Connect
  
• Scan the trigger you picked.
  
• Use the trigger with your kids.
  

Time to Share:
Which trigger did you pick?  Why did you pick it?  How did you use it with your students?  How did the trigger enhance the learning process?  There are a few ways you can share your experience with the triggers in the Teach Connect teacher community.  You can either blog about it share via social media or join the Augmented Reality for Education Google group and share within the group.  When sharing your experience remember to use the hashtag #TechieEdu and #AR4Learning.


Resources:

• Adding Integers Interactive Board    
  
• The Oklahoma City Memorial 
  
• Aug That
  
• Augmented Reality for Education Group
  

Pre-made augmented triggers can take learning deeper. We are going to go a little beyond skimming the surface with some already made augmented triggers.  For step 3 of the series we will be looking into how pre-made triggers that are connected to an animated lesson, a 3D model, a video, or a 360° environment can take the learning experience to the next level.

Making an Interactive Notebook, Binder, or Journal:

I know several teachers that like for students to take notes, write in a journal, or keep a running binder of resources.  Why not add an enhancement to the student's journal, notebook, or binder and reinforce a concept, topic, or enhance the learning with an augmented trigger.  Someone else has already done the work of creating the augmented trigger all you have to do is match it the topic, concept, or lesson.  That someone being the team of Aug That.  They have tons of animated lessons from 1st grade through 8th grade on both English/Language Arts and Math, which by the way they have aligned to the common core standards.  They also have massive library of 3 dimensional objects and 360° environments. 

Studying space and different rockets why not put a augmented trigger of the rockets you are studying in your students' notebook.  When they scan the trigger the 3 dimensional rocket pops out of their notebook where they can spin it around and zoom in on the rocket for a better look.  You can't really get that experience just looking at a picture.  

You have a few students having trouble with retailing a story.  On their journal page adhere an augmented trigger that is tied an animated lesson that reinforces how to retail a story.  A student needing a little help with developing a supporting topic, print out the already made augmented trigger and have the student attach it to his or her notes, journal, or added it to the resource binder.  What if a student was gone and missed how you explained how to added and subtract decimals.  Stick an augmented trigger on the assignment or, in the notebook, or send home a flashcard with the trigger on it.

Studying different historical sights such as the pyramids in Egypt. Why not have the students add an augmented trigger to their notes.  When they scan it a 3D model of the pyramids pops out.  Want to take them to see a volcano, summit for a mount range, or an ocean reef?  Add an augmented 360° trigger to your students' writing, notes, or resources.  When they scan the trigger it will transform your classroom into that environment.  

Example of an Interactive Math Notebook:
I've been working on a 7th grade Interactive Math Notebook for a teacher friend. This notebook is basically a spiral notebook kids are writing notes, adding foldables, and other resources that pertain to 7th grade math.  The teacher gave me the notes the kids are writing along with foldables she has created.  My job was to go through Aug That's library and match up the math concept with the already created augmented triggers such as adding and subtracting decimals, fractions, and etc... 

Once I found the augmented trigger that went with a certain math concept I copied and pasted the trigger image on to the foldable.  If there was not a foldable just notes I then created a sheet full of that the trigger I wanted to use.  The kids then cut and pasted the trigger next to their notes.  Below is the link to one of the math foldables I added a pre-made augmented trigger to.  

The Challenge:
You will have to contact Aug That's support team for this challenge.  Ask them to show you an augmented animated lesson, 3D object and a 360° environment.  Let them know what grade level and subjects you are working with.  Don't forget to let them know I sent you.


Once you have tried all three different pre-made triggers I want to share your experience.  You can choose how you want to share it.  For example you could write a blog post, Tweet out your experience, share it with a friend, or even join my Augmented Reality for Education Group and let us know about your experience.  Remember when sharing via social media use the hashtag #TechieEdu.  


Resources:

• Augmented Math Foldable - Print Double Sided
  
• Aug That's Contact Page
  
• My AR Resource Page
  
• The Augmented Reality for Education Group
  
• Claim the AR Swimming Badge

Using augmented triggers that are already made not only saves you time but adds enhancement to your lesson without changing the learning objective.  For part two of the Why use AR series we will use two pre-made augmented triggers. 

Describe the Photo
Look at the pictures below and answer the following questions:

1. As you are describing what is happening in the photo use where it is happen. For example - on the left, in the middle, behind and etc....
2. Use present conditions - What are they doing? and etc...
3. What is the weather like?
4. Is the location inside or outside?
5. Use adjectives to explain the mood of the setting?
6. How does this image make you feel?
7. Would you like to be there? Why or Why not?

Now take a look at the second photo and answer the same questions.

Comparing:
Looking at the two photographs what do you see that is similar and what is different. Use the following vocabulary to to describe the similarities and the differences. 

Similar: all, most, both, also, as well, & too
Different: but, however, whereas, on the other hand, & although 

Speculate:
Speculate the situation and use words to describe such as: use may, might, must, can't be, seems to, & appears to be.

Your Reaction:
Give your reaction to the photographs and use words such as: I'd love, hate to do that, It looks great, it appears to be dangerous, It makes me want to try, & It wouldn't suit me.

Adding AR:

You are going to ask the same questions but this time instead of just looking at the two images you are going to explore them.  The app you will need is (STAR by Aug That) Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality.

Steps to Explore: 

• Launch the app
• Click Start Lesson
• Click 360°  - Panorama
• Scan the 1st image with you device
• Once the AR experience is loaded walk around the room.
• Using your device to look up, look down, and look all around.

Describe the Experience
Explore the 360° environment and answer the following questions:

1. As you are describing what is happening in the around you?  For example - on the left, in the middle, behind and etc....
2. Use present conditions - What are they doing? and etc...
3. What is the weather like?
4. Is the location inside or outside?
5. Use adjectives to explain the mood of the setting?
6. How does this image make you feel?
7. Would you like to be there? Why or Why not?

Now experience the 2nd image and answer the same questions.


Comparing:
Now that you experienced the two environments what do you see that is similar and what is different. Use the following vocabulary to to describe the similarities and the differences. 

Similar: all, most, both, also, as well, & too
Different: but, however, whereas, on the other hand, & although 

Speculate:
Speculate the situation and use words to describe such as: use may, might, must, can't be, seems to, & appears to be.

Your Reaction:
Give your reaction to the photographs and use words such as: I'd love, hate to do that, It looks great, it appears to be dangerous, It makes me want to try, & It wouldn't suit me.

Share your your experience via social media.  Use the hashtags #TechieEdu and #AR4Learning.



Resources:

• Claim the AR Floating Badge
• The Podcast - Remarkable Chatter
• My AR Resource Page
  
• The AR Idea Board
• AugThat

I've been asked to help others in dipping their toes so to speak into the water and start exploring the possibilities of augmented reality (a.k.a. AR) in education.  To help build the support line in learning how to incorporate augmented reality in education I am developing a series of challenges. My goal is to launch each new challenge via my podcast as well as develop an ebook to support the learning process.  As each challenge is completed the participants will also be able to earn a badge.


We will start with using pre-made triggers and work our way through the challenges until you and your students are creating one of a kind augmented experiences. 

For the 1st challenge we will be dipping our toes into the AR pool and you will need makers, crayons, or colored pencils.  Once you have your supplies I want you to take a look at the following picture to the right.  
Questions I want you  to think about:

• What is the name of this character?
• Where do you think this character lives?
• What kind of job does this character have?
• Where do you think this character is going?

Now click on the file below and print it out.

After you have printed out the picture color it. As you are coloring I want to think about a the following:

• What types of characteristics does your character have?
• What kind of day is your character having? 
• Is your character going on a journey?  Late for work or school?
• What does your character like to do for fun?
• What is your character's favorite food, activities, colors, animals, and etc...

After you are done coloring your picture it is time to write your character's story.  In your story describe where your character is and what your character is doing. Tell us what is your character like?  Where your character might be going?

• Take a picture of your colored image and added it to your story.  I suggest using Google Docs to write your story.
• Share your story via social medial using the hashtage #TechieEdu and #AR4Learning. 

Augmented reality is a tool that can be used to enhance the learning experience.  Using this simple augmented coloring page will help take the writing process to the next level and add a spin to your story.

The app you will need to download is Chromville. Chromville is an augmented reality company from Greenland that is bringing characters to life.  Once you have the app downloaded you will scan the picture you have colored.  

How to Scan:

• Launch App
• Tap Play
• Tap Dana
• Hold the iPad/Tablet over your colored image
• When the red rectangle turns green you will get a message not to move.
• Your augmented experience will then appear.

The augmented trigger I gave you is a labyrinth.  You can interact with your character you colored and move your character through the labyrinth. Now that your character has made it through the labyrinth it is time to revise your story.  For your revision you will need to add obstacles your character needs to over come.  

After you have revised your story it is time to share it.  Share your story using social media use the hashtag #TechieEdu and #AR4Learning.

Coloring pages from augmented reality companies can add a new depth to the learning process.  They can be used to brainstorm settings, characters, events, obstacles, and etc...  They can also be used to help develop the writing process as well as rewriting skills.

Tips:

• I like to reveal the app that is needed after students have their rough draft completed and have colored the AR trigger.
• Mix up the different AR coloring trigger pages, this keep the kids guess which app to they need to use.

Resources:

• Dairy of a Techie Chick - The Podcast
• Dana - Labyrinth Coloring Page 
• Chromville
• colAR
• Color Alive
• Tortoise and Hare

• My AR Resource Page
• Claim the Toe Dipping into AR badge