56 years ago, in 1963, folk singer, Bob Dylan, wrote and recorded a song titled, “The Times They Are A-Changin.” He wrote the song as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change for the time.
“Come gather ‘round people, wherever you roam, and admit that the waters around you have grown, and accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone. If your time is worth savin’ then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone. For the times they are a-changin’.”
A young Steve Jobs recited the second verse in his opening of the 1984 Apple shareholders meeting, where he famously unveiled the Macintosh computer for the first time.
“Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen, and keep your eyes wide, the chance won’t come again. And don’t speak too soon for the wheel’s still in spin, and there’s no tellin’ who that it’s namin’. For the loser now will be later to win. For the times they are a-changin’.”
Jennifer Hudson and the Destiny Road Children’s Choir sang this song in 2018 at the National Mall for the student-led March For Our Lives.
“Come senators, congressman, please heed the call. Don’t stand in the doorway, don’t block up the hall. For he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled. There’s a battle outside and it’s ragin’, it’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. For the times they are a-changin’.”
Times are continuing to change, especially when it comes to our schools, therefore we should also be changing our school libraries to keep up with the changing times and be align our standards to 21st century learning opportunities.
- We don’t want our school libraries to sink, instead we want to keep swimming, keep trying to provide our students with up to date technology in order to enhance their learning experiences.
- The wheels are, indeed, still spinning, as every time we turn around there is new technology for us to consider.
- Let’s not stand in the doorways and block the halls to the technology components, instead let’s fling the doors open wide and embrace the changes in order to better serve our patrons.
There are many different applications available when it comes to 21st century learning in our school libraries. This post will focus on one aspect, augmented reality.
What is augmented reality?
Augmented reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by a computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. With the help of advanced AR technology (e.g. adding computer vision and object recognition) the information about the surrounding real world of the user becomes interactive and digitally manipulable. Artificial information about the environment and its objects can be overlaid on the real world.
Augmented reality is using a device to view and interact with digital information in a real-world setting. One form of AR that many of us are already familiar with is Snapchat.
We have a general idea of what augmented reality is, but how can we implement it into our school libraries? There are very different kinds of AR educational applications available and some of them show tremendous promise in enhancing learning experiences, and most of them are inexpensive or even free. Since AR enhances the information we can perceive with our senses, it can immerse users into the experience in a way that makes learning more meaningful. It can increase student motivation as well as understanding of learning concepts. AR has the power to exponentially expand our access to information.
Using AR components in school libraries and classrooms, librarians and teachers can:
- Explore technology
- Encourage interaction
- Create rich experiences
- Help students understand the real world
- Improve teaching materials
- Specialize content and curriculum
Language Arts:
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce is an interactive, augmented reality book that can be purchased for a mere $4.99 from Amazon. Students will be engaged as they read the book and use the app to bring the story to life. The book, app, and video can be used as story resources for character development organizers, central ideas organizers, context clues, inference organizers, responses to reading, summary and theme graphic organizers, Venn diagrams, write around student discussion templates, and assessments. Writing workshops can also be developed using word choice and descriptive writing lessons, creative stories, and narrative writing assignments.
Science:
Chromville Science joins art, technology, science and the eight multiple intelligences, promoting the development of kid’s creativity and motivation for the learning process according to their needs and preferences. From the human body to parts of a plant, this interactive app enhances students’ experiences when it comes to important science concepts.
Social Studies:
The Owney the Dog: Tales from the Rails app features Owney, the official mascot of the United States Postal Service. Students can join Owney as he travels around the United States, visiting various Post Offices. The Smithsonian National Postal Museum offers a free 60-page curriculum guide for teachers. There are 4 units, each unit incorporates lessons that can be easily used as a part of the social studies curriculum. Unit 1 focuses on maps, with lessons including: Reading a Map, The Singing Map, Where Water Meets the Land, Owney’s View, and Sounds of the City/Sounds of the Country.
Curriculum Guide for Owney: Tales from the Rails
Math:
School librarians and classroom teachers can use AR Flashcards in order to reinforce curriculum through makerspace or workstation activities. AR Flashcards are a new way for students to interact and make flash cards more entertaining and engaging while reinforcing important concepts. Point your device at the printed flashcard and 3D numbers and animals will pop up on the screen. Students can learn the equations and then test their knowledge with timed quizzes.
And remember:
- We don’t want our school libraries to sink, instead we want to keep swimming, keep trying to provide our students with up to date technology in order to enhance their learning experiences.
- The wheels are, indeed, still spinning, as every time we turn around there is new technology for us to consider.
- Let’s not stand in the doorways and block the halls to the technology components, instead let’s fling the doors open wide and embrace the changes in order to better serve our patrons.
Swearingen the Librarian 