Virtual Vs. Augmented Reality

    Virtual and augmented reality are both new technologies that allow us to see/interact with our world in very different ways. More specifically, virtual reality is a three-dimensional realistic and immersive simulation. Augmented reality is an enhanced image or environment viewed on a screen or another display. I believe that both of these technologies would be useful in the classroom, but virtual reality tends to be a lot more expensive. Therefore, I personally believe that augmented reality will flourish the most. I believe augmented reality is going to flourish more because it is more practical for educational purposes than virtual reality is. There are many ways to use augmented reality, and it is easy to tie this type of technology into the classroom. For instance, augmented reality is available with many apps that can easily be used for educational advances in all different subjects. Augmented reality is also very practical for non-educational reasons as well. Augmented reality can translate signs in different languages, and it can inform you of nearby restaurants, food places, and etc. With virtual reality, I think it is more practical to be used more for gaming and not so much for education unless it is used at a wealthy institution. Therefore, I think people will be more accepting and supportive of the augmented reality because it is more readily available and much more practical.


   I can see augmented reality being utilized in my future classroom in many ways. For example, it is easy to set up stations that use augmented reality, and these activities are engaging! I would be happy to use augmented reality in my classroom because it would get my students excited about learning, and it would be a nice break from traditional learning. Augmented reality is also a great way to help students visualize certain things because it brings them to life! For example, you could bring a world map to life so students could see the world in a different, more accurate way. I think augmented reality has a very bright future in education, and I am anxious to see how far it will go!

Gamification, Yay or Nay?

      Gamification is a great way to bring technology into the classroom and keep students actively engaged, however there is a lot to consider when using it. For instance, it is very important to make sure the particular gamification is appropriate for the age group you are working with. Also, it is very important to test out the gamification you would like to use in your classroom before you decide to use it. Another thing you must consider is accessibility because some gamification requires all students to have their own device which is not always possible.


      I believe that the best example of gamification we've seen in class is Osmo. I think Osmo is so cool, and I love that it has games for many different subjects. Osmo is very easy to use and allows students to work alone or in groups. It also allows them to learn in a very hands-on manner. I was impressed with the countless different learning activities/games that Osmo provided. I would recommend Osmo to any teacher or parent because it is a great example of educational technology!

      I think gamification is a good thing because it takes learning beyond the traditional classroom. Also, gamification brings out the love of learning that students sometimes miss out on. Gamification makes learning fun again and it keeps students engaged. There are so many different types of gamification that can be incorporated in almost any classroom. I think it needs to be used more in classrooms because it has so many benefits. YAY for gamification!