Augmented Reality in Education (Think I can link it to SmartMusic?)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

http://www.wikitude.org/category/02_wikitude/world-browser (Wikitude)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2OfQdYrHRs (Word Lens)

The first time I saw the yellow "first down" line on a televised (American) football game, I was finding it a bit coincidental that the ref was spotting the ball so close to the yellow line that just happened to be there.  How could the grounds crew have know where to put it?  Was the ref being influenced by the coincidental yellow line?

That spot happened three times before I figured out that the broadcasters were putting that yellow line in with computers so they could show me where the first down was.  The ref didn't see the line, but TV watchers could.  Of course, my team was just short of the yellow line all three times.

This is also one of the first times I became aware of something that I now know is called Augmented Reality.

I think Augmented Reality has educational possibilities.

Check out the iOS app called Word Lens.  Point your iPod's or iPhone's camera at a piece of text in another language and it will change those words to your language.  It's a direct translation, not an interpretation, but pretty helpful.

Wikitude's World Browser does very much the same thing with your surroundings.  Point your camera (with GPS and compass on) at the world and it will tell you on screen what Wikitude knows about it.  I think this would enhance any field trip involving landmarks and buildings.

No, you probably won't want your students constantly using these tools instead of learning the material.  But, I would guess that most students would appreciate the support while they are studying.  Scaffolding works.

How can I connect Augmented Reality this with SmartMusic?  The cursor does a wonderful job of showing you where the beat is.  This is a wonderful way to help students with rhythm and tempo.  It isn't real time, but the red/green note report after a performance is very helpful if the student takes the time to study it.

The new tools aren't coming, they are here.

An Interesting SmartMusic Grade Book Report Feature: Time Spent.

http://www.smartmusic.com/Educators/Gradebook.aspx

(Click to see larger)

I was reviewing assignments that I had collected in the SmartMusic Gradebook, when I noticed an interesting feature:  "Time Spent" is one of the items reported!

This has always been a feature in SmartMusic, but you needed to set it up before you sent the assignment. I frequently forgot to set that up.  Now it just happens.

I am not a huge fan of practice time in the sense of we need you to practice "X" number of hours per week.  "X" is sometimes too long for a few of my students and more frequently too short for others.  I like to think my goal is prepared students (as in know their part: right notes, correct rhythms, good tone.)

It is easier to get kids to buy into "ready" than it is to buy into "spend lots of time."

The Time Spent number implies the computer was on and listening.  It may not be all the practice time spent on the assignment.  Or, you may be getting "played."  Start the program and put the mic next to the radio so it hears something.

This number is probably not very useful evaluation material if you use it for grading.

So what would I use this number for?

Well, it is a conversation starter.  "I noticed you got the assignment done pretty fast there...." followed by a "good for you" or "you won't mind spending a little more time to get it right."... can be excellent motivators.  It is also easy to recognize the rewards of hard work.  "It took a while for you to get this, thanks for putting in the time!"

It is also good to know Time Spent as a teacher.  Is there something I should be working at in class to help these kids get and apply this concept quicker?  Lots of time spent on an assignment by multiple students may give you some hints on your pedagogy.

If you are wondering about SmartMusic for your program, I recommend it.  If you are wondering about the Educator tools being worth the cost, I wouldn't use SmartMusic without them.  They are worth the cost.