How to collaborate with colleagues when your institutions are on the different sides of the planet?
In the technology age, it’s easy, free and quick. Webinars can be attended by anyone across the globe, but can also unite educators in facilitating such events.
I was invited by North West University to participate in the webinar focusing on the integration of digital technology in all segments of industry, communication and education.
Alongside many experts including Clarise Mostert, Koos De Villiers, Gordon Matthew and others, I have presented this flash 7-minute presentation focused on integration of AR (augmented reality) in education. The full video is available below.
More about the TELIT-SA group and my summer visit to North West University can be found in a separate blog post – HERE.
Big thanks to this wonderful team of researchers for inviting me to be a part of this webinar and continue our collaboration across the globe
EdMedia is a world conference, and that means people from all around the globe. Being a part of that, actively participating and contributing to work of that group means a lot. Also, comes with a great expectation from within myself. What is good enough to be presented for the delegates coming from close and far? Being a graduate student, I wasn’t sure if things I find revolutionary would be just common knowledge among these people.
Well, I was proven wrong. Very, very wrong. And I am extremely proud that that was the case. Even with the programme full of great presentations, I decided to go with what I enjoy the most – designing materials. I have presented a poster, which was officially the biggest thing I have ever printed (anxiety over typos was real), and came with a pile of paper toys. Next to me, colleagues were presenting research using hololense and extraordinary technology, but I glued some paper cubes together and came to a world conference to show it.
Koos De Villiers on the left and Veruschka Pelser-Carstens on the right
What happens next is really the best feeling in the world. People started playing and laughing, exploring AR content and generally having a great time. Faces were instantly transformed from serious academics to playful adults. That was the biggest accomplishment of my time there. Period.
The Award winning poster
The next day, I got the award for the best poster presentation which was really a great piece of paper to bring back to my university and stick to my CV. What I REALLY brought home with me were my new colleagues and friends – graduate students and academics from South Africa, USA, Australia and even Mauritius.
Serious academics, I promise
So, what will is this group of serious academics up to next? I’m glad you asked – we’re meeting again, September in South Africa! Just being invited to come to Johannesburg was a great delight, but I’m sure it will be even better when I come back with more stories to tell. Cheers!
Augmented Reality has become a buzz word recently in ed-tech circles.The K-12 Horizon Report describes Augmented Reality as blending — or augmenting — what
we see in the real world with related information,data, media, and even live action.
Although it was once envisaged that the future would be completely virtual, it is now becoming apparent that rather than stepping into entirely computer created worlds, it is better to harness technology to add to our current reality – hence ‘augmented reality’ has become more popular, and ‘virtual reality’ has become less so.
An easy way to understand exactly what the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality is by viewing examples of each:
This is an explanation of Virtual Reality (also known as Virtual Worlds):
Below is an example of Augmented Reality:
The girl is able to see a 3d model of the lego before she purchases it.
The term, augmented reality (AR) is referred to as “a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data”. AR is thought of as a variation of virtual realities or environments. Technically speaking, AR combines the physical reality with the digital world. Virtual reality cannot show the real world, but it creates a completely virtual one, as with video games, or a virtual reality helmet. Augmented Reality, on the other hand, enables users to see the real world with virtual objects, places, and contexts. Thus, AR does not replace the reality, but augment it.
Why is AR an interesting topic? Does AR have use in education and in the classroom? AR enhances the perceptions and interactions with the real world so that users can be immersed in a real…
Merged Futures is a conference that I ended up attending by a series of fortunate events. After being introduces to Scott Turner at the SOLSTICE conference at Edge Hill University, he invited me to see what they do at Northampton. Luckily once again, they had a big immersive technology event coming up in weeks time. So, what else to do than go with the flow? 🙂
— Digital Northampton (@DigiNorthampton) June 14, 2019
Lot of tweeting was happening on that event. In order to win a cake, participants were trying to have the most popular tweet of the day. Along with the competition fun, we have connected and formed a nice community of practitioners.
On the event, I had an opportunity to meet fantastic researchers and artists who use immersive mediums for creation of the most wonderful art experiences. Imagine walking through someone’s painting and exploring every little corner. Dr Alison Goodyear made that possible for us.
My presentation was short 15 minutes on integration of augmented reality in primary school. Joined up with three other experts, we created a showcase of examples for all education levels – from early years to higher education. Truly a great experience. Some of the slides I used, are below.
You can also access the full material by clicking HERE
My colleagues mentioned regularly post interesting content related to technology, so make sure you check out these links:
💬 Conference work doesn't stop once everyone is home. The #MergedFutures team is working hard to engage online community with all the exciting work presented at the event. The best social media coverage I've seen in a while. 👏✨ @DigiNorthamptonhttps://t.co/a7HjA4i7IT
This conference attracts presenters and delegates from a wide range of roles within teaching and learning both from the UK and internationally. For the past 14 years, this well-established conference has consistently offered excellent professional development opportunities and often received feedback about how useful the sessions and networking have been. There is a relaxed and friendly vibe at the conference and organisation takes pride in ensuring that all of the delegates are given a warm welcome to the award winning campus at Edge Hill University.
Solstice themes
CLT themes
Creative deployment of technologies to enhance the student experience Getting the best our of the VLE Adding value to large group teaching using technology Creative use of technologies in the classroom Electronic assessment and feedback Student induction into HE and the role of technology Going beyond PowerPoint Technologies and formative assessment The role and use of online classrooms MOOCS and developments in online course structures Approaches to enhancement of learning, teaching and assessment Postgraduate learners and learning Technologies and internationalisation of the student experience Lecture capture Inclusive technologies Evidence-based practice, pedagogic research Simulation – from Classroom to Cyber Space Learning Analytics – Pros and Cons Others of topical interest
Student induction and transitions Implications of post-16 curriculum changes re planning for induction and transitions Making the first year experience a success Assessment for learning Retention focused practices Adding value to large group teaching Enhancing employability Skills and information literacy Academic writing Teaching and supporting international students Leading change in the teaching and learning arena Internationalisation and international students’ experiences Feedback Emerging challenges and improving student success Education for sustainable development Peer mentoring Inclusive practices Personal tutoring Evidence-based practice, pedagogic research TEF and teaching excellence – lessons learned and next steps REF 2021 – Implications for Learning and Teaching Research Eliminating contract cheating Others of topical interest
This conference is all about serious topics covered in a fun way. Because who says we need to dress up in business outfits to discuss business?! Here is how we do it:
Fantastic CLT19 conference @edgehill! Really enjoyed the brilliant Serious Lego Play session this morning – so much fun and can really see the value for creative teaching and learning #SOLSTICE19@CLTatEHUpic.twitter.com/k7RGerNO2f
It was a very productive day in terms of learning new skills. I have managed to figure out a bit of programming and even create my first A-frame augmented reality experience. Much less user-friendly interface (if the user is no programmer), but definitely a success feeling.
On this conference, we don’t just focus on technology, but also the pedagogy behind it. With valuable discussions around the TPACK framework, we had a bit of time to explore traditional methods of engaging learners. Creativity is the main driver of motivation in my land, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw Dr. Dawne Bell and her mini foldbooks. A handout I will never lose 🙂
Below you can see the slides I used during my talk, but there is not much text, so if you need some explanation, please contact some of the participants or me directly. 🙂
Poster
This poster is interactive! If you scan parts of it with Blippar app (code is edgehill) you can discover additional content and links. Now, go-play-explore!
Big THANK YOU goes to Dawne Bell and the whole CLT team at Edge Hill for organizing this great conference. I will see you next year!
Augmented Toys 