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| Source: dailygalaxy.com |
It's a brilliant tool to use with kids - what's more exciting than seeing your surroundings come to life in a way that's impossible to replicate in the real world?
Below, you will find four of Creative Teaching and Learning Blog's favourite virtual reality apps. They're all science related, but can be adapted to a wide range of subjects for use with students of all ages and abilities.
Which are your favourite?
Anatomy 4D
Price: Free
Available at: iTunes and Google Play.
Price: Free
Available at: iTunes and Google Play.
This Anatomy 4D app eliminates the need for an anatomy lab. To use the app, print out the target and point your Anatomy 4D app at it. This target is also automatically available to print through the app itself via a wireless connection to the nearest printer. Looking at the target image through your app, you will be able to see a detailed 3D model of the human body and view various biological systems, turning them 'on' and 'off' with the touch of a button. In this way, students are more easily able to understand the interrelationships between bodily systems.
Aurasma
Price: Free
Available at: iTunes and Google Play.
Aurasma is classic AR. Just point your tablet’s camera at an image, object, or place, and Aurasma will give it an 'aura' composed of rich media in the form of animations, text, videos, 3D models or web pages. It’s perfect for general science-related exploration (such as nature walks) for which there may be no specific app. You and your students can also make your own 'auras', allowing for much creativity and enjoyment.
Star and Planet Finder
Price: Free
Available at: iTunes.
This app literally outdoes the traditional school trip to the planetarium by guiding students through stars, planets, constellations and satellites. It’s easy to use. Students simply choose a planet, and move their tablet according to the pointer display. Detailed information (diameter, mass, range) then appears. The app also has a number of other features, including automatic time sync, moon phase display, a compass, and an accelerometer.
Scimorph
Price: Free
Available at: Website.
Featuring a cute alien, Scimorph is designed for younger students. Kids discuss and solve scientific-based problems by guiding Scimorph through different experiences. For example, the 'Gravity' activity zone helps students determine why Scimorph feels different in space. The site offers detailed instructions for printing and using AR markers. Since marker images are a key part of every AR resource, it’s a great introduction to AR in that respect. What’s also great about Scimorph is that it provides a companion with whom kids can become (in the words of the app developers) 'social adventurers'.
