The tool I will be discussing is disruptED AR and VR books. This company makes books designed to be enhanced through the use of AR and VR, and these can be further enhanced through various games and tools on their corresponding app. Materials can be purchased directly from disruptED’s website, and kits start as low as $19.95. Through connection with an app, characters from the books come to life through AR or VR, depending on the device being used.
This seems like a great way to introduce VR/AR into a library or school. First of all, the kits are very affordable, and it would be easy to purchase just a couple to test out before buying more. Additionally, the stories and activities are designed with specific run-times in mind, meaning it would be easy to facilitate kids switching out. Below is a video that provides more information on what comes in a starter kit.
If the goal of libraries is to “encourage higher levels of information literacy” (Massis, 2015, p. 798), then that encouragement should start at early ages. This makes disruptED AR/VR products the perfect way to do so with younger kids.
Here is an educator’s thoughts on how disruptED’s products can benefit the classroom!
Not only would these products be great as a stand-alone “station” in a library, but they could also be used as part of a storytime event. One of the stories could be read to everyone, and then kids could take turns imagining how it might come to life and then getting rotating and actually getting to play with the AR set. This seems like a really cool product and I can see it utilized in a variety of ways!
References
DisruptED. (n.d.) Shop. disruptED. https://disruptedx.com/shop
DisruptED. (2018, December 7). DisruptED intro [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsJC-sbBHtY
DisruptED. (2020, April 22). School educator shares thoughts on disruptED learning app [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdVpHRz_Upo
DisruptED. (2020, May 1). DisruptED start kit experience explained [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0XktrlfdJc
Massis, B. (2015, August 13). Using virtual and augmented reality in the library. New Library World, 116(11/12), 796-799.
Hey, Rachel!
ReplyDeleteI love the disruptED AR and VR books that you shared in your post this week. I have never heard of this until reading about it for this week’s readings.
I am a visual learner and sometimes it is hard for me to visualize things on my own. I have to see things to learn them. With all of this being said, I could see where this could help me and other visual learners understand the books that are being read. If children could have a book read to them and then they could get to experience the book through disruptED AR and VR books, then they will have a better understanding of books they read, and therefore, will want to read more.
Thank you so much for sharing this week.
Sincerely,
Courtland Smith