For those new to the subject, the growing field of augmented reality, or AR, involves computer-generated visual or auditory enhancements of real-life. This is precisely what makes it perfect for educational purposes, maintains writer Jennifer Stone for Educalinkapp.
“AR apps are revolutionizing education by giving students a fresh perspective on their learning materials through a variety of interactive features, one of them being overlaying digital content on videos or images of the real world through the camera on their device,” she says.
Without further ado, here are the five top educational AR apps out there.
SkyView
This stargazing app makes learning about astronomy fun. SkyView utilizes an AR interface to help students learn about different constellations, stars and satellites — and sure beats learning about the universe from a book. The app only shows major stars, which means that students do not get bogged down with the names of minor celestial bodies. To use the app, simply point your iPhone or iPad at the sky.
FETCH! Lunch Rush
Designed to teach elementary school children math, FETCH! Lunch Rush is an AR app that uses the phone camera to superimpose graphics on real-life surroundings. More specifically, the app teaches students to add and subtract by helping Ruff Ruffman, the doggie host of the PBS KIDS TV series keep up with lunch orders on a movie set.
Mondly AR
Whether it is learning Spanish for that future vacation in Latin America or German and French for that backpacking trip in Europe, Mondly AR can set students on the right path to picking up a new language. Used in a classroom setting or at home, the app provides students with the services of Mondly, their very own language teaching assistant available 24/7. Mondly AR brings language learning to life by making virtual creations appear in your very own living room. For instance, asking Mondly to show you a specific animal, will make it appear right on the screen of your device with your surroundings in the background. This immersive app is available in 31 different languages.
BBC Civilisation AR
BBC’s first dedicated AR app, BBC Civilisations AR is a fascinating way to learn about history and antiques. The app gives students the option to take a closer look at 40 different artifacts in the classroom or at home. From Renaissance masterpieces to Egyptian treasures, the artifacts have been selected from 280 different submissions from more than 50 of UK’s museums and galleries.
Arloon Geometry
Help your students delve into the world of geometry with Arloon Geometry. The AR app works by letting users interact with 3D models of various geometric shapes and as such is great for developing spatial visualization. The figures can be viewed from different angles and can be unfolded to facilitate better spatial imagination. Some of the app’s features include comparisons between geometric shapes and real-world objects, as well as calculations of each shape’s area and volume.
