Learning with AR technology
Kids are always interested in the latest and greatest thing, that’s why they are often the early adopters of new technology.
Virtual and Augmented Reality have seen a lot of development recently, and several companies are wisely looking into ways to use this technology in a way that’s appealing to kids.
In a time when social distancing has become the norm, we are all left with little options for entertainment and this is more so for the younger population.
Now, children who stay indoors all day not only have to face a growing sense of isolation, but also confront some more serious problems. This tendency can range for developmental problems due to lack of social interactions, mental health issues, drop in energy level and so on.
But one of the most troubling issues that arises from the current pandemic is the drop in educational facilities that are available for kids to continue the learning process.
In a pre-pandemic world, schools and other institutions were available to stimulate the growing mind. But this isn’t the case anymore as we are all stuck in the 4 walls of our homes for the time being.
Those with VR-enabled devices and hardware can more easily enjoy exploring other places and locations. This technology isn’t as wide spread as Augmented Reality, which has a far lower entry requirement.
This has prompted multiple companies and developers to focus on products and services, allowing AR to bridge the gap created by maintaining a healthy social distance.
What a lot of companies are trying to do is to get this perfect marriage between traditional entertainment and learning with technology; and what they’re finding is that AR is the best way to combine those two worlds.
The following are some innovative solutions for AR and learning with AR technology. These innovations are aimed at children and can make the current global isolation pass in a more productive, educational, and fun way.
SwapBots
Kids are some of the largest consumers of technology and companies making toys for kids are cognizant of this fact. An example of a union between a traditional toy and AR technology is in SwapBots, which are toys that kids can collect, customize, and battle by using their smartphones.
The other major advantage of this product is it seems like something that won’t break the bank for parents, which is always an important thing to keep in mind when targeting kids.
GEO AR Games
GEO AR Games is working on games that are similar to Pokémon Go in the sense that in order to pay them kids will need to go outside (although, due to the pandemic alert, we advise you to not leave the balcony or garden area) with a smartphone or tablet and move around.
This game is likely to be viewed favorably by parents for the same reasons as Pokémon Go, anyone with a smartphone or tablet can use it, and it encourages kids to go outside and play.
Here is an example of one of their games titled “Magical Park”
Popar
Popar is a company that is combining AR technology with books and charts for kids for a whole new experience with reading and learning.
The way the app works is that when you order one of their products and then once it arrives you download the app that comes with it; while reading through the book or chart you will have the opportunity to use the app to make the content come alive, like with some of the charts that can be seen below.
Keeping kids involved and interested in learning is crucial, and if utilizing AR technology is the way to do that, than more companies should be following suit to give kids the educational experience that they want.
Interactive AR
The days of kids wanting to read printed books are behind us. Most kids read on their computers, smartphones, or tablets; only reading printed materials when they absolutely have to.
Interactive AR is trying to change that by making kids’ books and puzzles, which have an AR component. The way that it works is that kids build a puzzle for instance, and then use their smartphone or tablet to have the puzzle come alive.
They’ll see different aspects of the puzzle pop up and they will be able to interact with various parts of the experience.
Engaging kids in educational content is harder than ever, and asking them to read a standard printed book will be a tough sell; but asking them to build a puzzle or read an AR book and just enjoy themselves is much more plausible and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Crayola Color Alive
Crayola is well known as everyone’s favorite crayon company; but much like Quiver they are working on brining the much loved activity of coloring into the 21st century.
The chief different here is that the Crayola Color Alive pages bring the characters into AR in a way where you can pose for pictures with them, much less of an entire environment type of thing which Quiver has.
Here, you can find similar project, developed by our team:
Conclusion
New technology helps to overcome the fear and misinformation by providing safety related knowledge [education on symptoms] and a perfect tool for predicting all kind of panic behavior.
At the moment going outside isn’t a good idea, but Augmented Reality is helping us stay safe, entertained and educated during this period. Non more so than with making sure our kids do not loose out as a result of Covid-19.
Plus, parents worldwide are being saved from going crazy finding new and created ways to keep their children and wards focused on learning and staying healthy.
