CedarBridge Academy is at the forefront of educational innovation, blending the virtual and real worlds to prepare students for the future. Kimberley Tucker, the school's STEM teacher and XR (Extended Reality) programme head, is leading the charge with her passion for augmented reality (AR).
In a recent professional development workshop, Ms. Tucker introduced primary and middle school social studies teachers to the potential of AR in the classroom. Her vision is to integrate AR into the school curriculum, engaging every student in Bermuda with this cutting-edge technology. But here's where it gets controversial: some educators argue that AR might distract from traditional learning methods, while others see it as a powerful tool to enhance student engagement and critical thinking.
Ms. Tucker believes AR can revolutionize the learning experience, making it more interactive and hands-on. She explains, "With the rise of technology in the workforce, it has so many uses for them. We are getting away from static learning to more interactive learning."
One of the key advantages of AR is its accessibility. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which requires expensive headsets, AR can be created relatively inexpensively. CedarBridge Academy uses the free software app Artivive to bring AR to life. Students create unique trigger images, similar to QR codes, which link to their AR content, allowing them to present their work in innovative ways.
For instance, a former P2 student created a poster with a trigger image that led to a public service announcement about the dangers of drink-driving. Another project challenged students to create an 'AR day in the life' experience, while others used VR to observe life forms in different environments and created AR posters. Ms. Tucker showcases these creations in corridors and classrooms, inspiring her students.
The school's efforts extend beyond the classroom. CedarBridge will host an AR showcase in April, allowing the public to witness the students' creations. And at the Bermuda Day Parade in May, an interactive AR float will display the students' work, highlighting the potential of AR in education.
Ms. Tucker sees AR as a powerful tool for self-marketing and product promotion. She says, "Students are learning skills such as video editing, speech and pronunciation, collaboration, and identifying an audience. They can also use AR to market themselves or to market a product."
The ultimate goal is to have all students in Bermuda using AR, and eventually incorporating it into the curriculum. Ms. Tucker believes this could be achieved by setting AR assignments within existing classes, allowing students to earn grades for their AR work. While there isn't a separate AR certification yet, the technology is already enhancing the learning experience for CedarBridge students.
As the school continues to pioneer AR in education, it raises questions about the future of learning. Will AR become a standard part of the curriculum, or will it remain a niche technology? The answers may lie in the comments below. What do you think about the use of AR in education? Agree or disagree, share your thoughts!
