Emerging Technologies: 5 Apps for Augmented Reality and 5 more for Virtual Reality

ISTE listed Augmented Reality(AR) and Virtual Reality(VR) as two of the big trends to watch in 2018. Although some have stated that they may not be ready to stand on their own (I agree), they do have great potential. Here are five AR and five VR apps worth checking out if you are exploring using either in your classroom. To be clear, we are defining virtual reality app as a tool that creates the entire environment and an augmented reality app as a tool that overlays images or videos over the existing environment. Most of these tools either have both AR and VR aspects and sometimes tools beyond AR/VR.

Augmented Reality

1. Quiver: Quiver uses printable image triggers to initiate the augmented reality images. Topics include several topics, but science seems to dominate. The printable images come in black and white so students can color them before using them.
2. Jigspace: This app has several AR image tutorials to choose from. They tend to be kind of random. Examples include batteries and the printing press.
3. Google Expeditions: Google Expeditions has both Augmented and Virtual Reality capabilities. You can use the 3D option with the goggles or stick with augmented reality. Several tutorials exist for augmented reality ranging from history topics like the Revolutionary War to science topics like what a virus or bacteria is?
4. Anatomy 4D: You can view images of the body with this tool. You can also peel away layers of the body (skin, muscles, circulatory system etc.) to dive deeper. There are also labels and descriptions to help you know what you are looking at and what it does.
5. Google Translate: Google Translate has several tools and features. The AR option allows you to pick the language you to translate written language with your device. Just pick the language you are looking at and the language you want to translate. Hovering the device over the language will show the translation. Here is a screenshot of some text before and after translation.

Virtual Reality

1. Google Streetview: The great thing about Google Streetview is the social aspect. You can add your own VR images, but anybody else can also so everyone benefits. I have added pictures from my hometown the Bronx Zoo to Ireland. Check them out.
2. Google Expeditions There isn’t the social aspect so anyone can contribute, but this tool makes up for it in what they have to offer in other resources. Here is a screenshot video of the tool.
3. NYTVR: A collection of virtual reality videos ranging from the top of World Trade Center One to Ethiopia to Pluto.
4. Thinglink: You can create interactive images with Thinglink where you embed hotspots. With a paid account, you can create 3D VR images with hotspots. Here is a blog post I wrote about using Thinglink and the next tool Google Tour Creator. 360 Image Tools for the Classroom
5. Google Tour Creator: This is another 3D image creation tool. It is a bit different from Thinglink but comparable. It is also free.