Home » augmented reality

Category: augmented reality

Dot Day Ideas for STEM Classrooms

Dot Day Ideas for STEM

dot-day-ideas

This post contains affiliate links. When purchasing through the link, it’s no extra cost to you, but I get a kick-back in return. 

 

What is Dot Day? 

Dot Day is an international celebration of inspiration and creativity. After reading the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, help students express their creativity in a variety of ways by creating their own ‘dot’. 

Click here to read more about it on the official website. 

 

Creativity is such a large component of success in STEM. Here are 3 activities that I tried that went well in my K-5 STEM classes that your students will love as well! 

These were all one day, 45 minute lessons, which is just enough time to celebrate! After reading or listening to The Dot, try one of these experiences with your class. 

 

Dot Day Ideas #1: Augmented Reality

I taught this lesson to my Kindergarten and 1st grade classes. This lesson requires tablets and having the free app, Quiver, downloaded before-hand. 

Next, print out the free Dot Day coloring sheet. Make sure to have extra printed because students will want to color more than one! I printed mine 4/page to save paper and to make it easier for students to capture the whole image on their tablet camera. 

dot-day-ideas

Discuss with students the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality. I have this anchor chart and response sheets that you can use to make it easier to explain! 

This dot will be transformed into augmented reality; it will look like the object is in OUR world.

Students will color their dot page. Markers work best and really make the colors stand out. Within the app, they will hold the camera over their dot and see it magically appear in the classroom!

 

dot-day-ideas

 

Dot Day Ideas #2: Spirograph Dots

I taught this lesson to my 2nd and 3rd grade classes. 

There is so much beauty and symmetry to well designed spirographs. This lesson helps students so much with their touchpad control. 

 

Beforehand, figure out how you will share this link with students for this online spirograph. When I taught this lesson, a login wasn’t required. 

 

dot-day-ideas

 

If you don’t want to use the digital version, I’ve snagged plastic spirograph sets from Dollar Tree before. 

Explain to students what spirographs are. You can use the anchor chart from this post I made that you can use with your students to help explain this concept! 

 

This video also shows artists who create spirographs for a living which is interesting for students to see. 

 

Finally, students will create their spirograph dot. If they want to save their design, taking a screenshot works well and uploading to the platform of your choice (Seesaw, Flipgrid, Google Classroom…). 

 

Dot Day Ideas #3: Dot Launchers

I taught this lesson with 4th & 5th grades. 

The Dash robot is a wonderful asset to have in your classroom. If you happen to have the launcher accessory, this lesson is for you! 

 

Students will launch their ‘dot’ (the ball), aiming towards a STEM identity word that they view themselves as. Some words include: mathematician, innovator and creator. 

 

 

Aiming for a target with the launchers is more challenging than you think! If possible, have students in groups of 3 and assign roles and have them rotate through:

  • Driver: Tapping the code on the device
  • Navigator: Ensuring that they agree with the code and give suggestions
  • Retriever: Finding the balls once they are released

dot-day-ideas

You can get the target board here from my shop (with other ways to use these STEM identities in your classroom!)

 

Other blog posts you might enjoy:

5 EASY WAYS TO INTEGRATE AUGMENTED & VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Best Robots for Kids for STEM & Technology Lessons

 

 

dot-day-ideas

 

What Dot Day activities have you tried in your classroom? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!

Want more resources to support Technology & STEM all year long? Grab this FREE downloadable guide that I’ve put together for you!

TECH TOOLS: 5 EASY WAYS TO INTEGRATE AUGMENTED & VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE CLASSROOM


AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) are unique ways for students to learn and access information. As this technology is becoming increasingly popular, students need to learn how to use these types of outputs and comprehend the information. Let's explore ways that you can easily integrate these tools into your instruction.



What is the difference between Augmented and Virtual Reality?




Augmented Reality = Computer-images added and shown in your real world
Example: Snapchat Filters

Virtual Reality= Computer environment that creates a realistic experience that makes you feel like you are in a different place
Example: Google Cardboard Virtual Reality Goggles w/ use of a VR app 


Now that you know the difference between the two, let's explore the different ways that you can get started to use them!




#1- Build Background Knowledge

Before diving into a new topic, it’s important to activate and build students’ background knowledge to increase their engagement. You probably have your go-to’s like I do: Brainpop, Discovery Education video clips or various books.


With the use of an AR/VR app, you can create an almost 3D experience for students to grasp on to and support the work you are about to do in your class. Want all kids to explore the inside of the alarm clock before diving into a telling time lesson? Well, you definitely can with specific AR apps, like JIG. (And you don’t have to go out and find 30 alarm clocks either!)



#2- Learn problem solving through a new tool


Technology is always, and will be changing. I am a huge believer in that no matter what tech tool students are introduced to, they need to be able to logically problem solve how to use it and what to do when a problem arises. {I even created an anchor chart for students to refer to when solving these problems that you can download for yourself here.

Since new AR & VR apps are being constantly created and updated, there are bound to be glitches. This is a great opportunity for students to attack these issues and learn how to adapt to them.




#3-Collaboration

When we had Google Expeditions come pilot their app at our school, my students had a “hands-on” experience about landforms that brought so much excitement!

Google brought in the devices, but students had to work in pairs while sharing one device. As a class, we had a few guidelines that we ALL needed to follow. Then, each group came up with their own set of rules for taking turns and for viewing the scenes.


While I didn’t formally didn’t asses collaboration during this task, this could have been a great opportunity to do so!



#4- Research


Finding information is very easy to do in today’s world. Have you ever thought of using AR & VR as another resource to gain information?


I found these VR headsets at Walmart for $5! Of course, I bought one in my favorite color. 


While there are many playful apps that can be useful when utilizing a makerspace, there are also many nonfiction apps that can be helpful as well. DISCOVERY VR and GOOGLE CARDBOARD have many real-life, 360* that can make fact finding exciting.




#5- In-House Field Trips


Field trips can be expensive and a lot of work for the teacher! But they don’t have to be with the use of GOOGLE EXPEDITIONS. Pick a destination you want your class to “go-to”, be the tour guide and have kids connect to your expedition. Now you are in control how long students can be in each section and can pause all their devices at any time.


No need to worry about collecting money, scheduling buses and weather. Bring the field trip to you!


Integrating AR & VR in your classroom doesn’t have to be scary! Trying these tools in your classroom will bring a whole other level of engagement that you and your students will love.


With the use of any of these apps, I created differentiated response sheets for your students to reflect on after exploring. Place these in page protectors and use them over and over again!







How have you used AR & VR in your classroom? Let me know and send me a message on Instagram @marvelousmsm

Stay marvelous!


Naomi from Marvelous Ms. Meredith