Skaggs Library
October 15, 2015
In this Newsletter:
* Book Genres
* Book Fair
* WolframAlpha
* Augmented Reality
40 BOOKS IN 40 DAYS- GENRE READING CHALLENGE
For a copy of the 40 BOOKS IN 40 DAYS READING LOG, click on the link below:
Introducing WolframAlpha- A Great Technology Resource
Here to share a great technology tip/website:
Say, "Hi" to Wolfram Alpha - a free, computation engine. Wolfram Alpha takes data, computations, algorithms, and other information and allows its users, you, me and our students, to access the information succinctly. You can ask Wolfram Alpha to solve an equation, convert units of measure, geographical information, or give updated information and statistics like the latest unemployment figures, the weather in Tokyo, the definition of the word "granular," and the list goes on. Click here to see a plethora of examples; This online engine is incredible.
Students use Wolfram Alpha to grab fast facts, explore stats and check their math homework. One fun quick trick is to type your name into the Wolfram Alpha search window and see all the stats for it. Did you know the name “Nicole” totals about 570,000 in the US?
Just type something in the search box and have fun learning form the information it generates!
A few other sites to give some examples of using Wolfram Alpha:
Welcome to the World of Augmented Reality!!!
This past Monday, I presented with Nancy Watson- PISD Instructional Technology Specialist at the Library Expo, our presentation was on Using Augmented Reality In the Classroom or Library.
To get started let's define Augmented Reality and take a look at some definitions to better understand how it works:
"Augmented Reality defined is a technology that superimposes a computer generated image on the user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view."
Vocabulary:
Trigger or trigger image: the image at which you point your device to make the magic happen
Overlay: the video image that pops up on the device when you point it at the trigger image
Aura: Aurasma's term for the AR "experience"
Some educational Augmented Reality apps have the technology built in to the app, and come with the "trigger images" that you can print from the Internet. Examples of this kind of AR include AR Flashcards, Freedom Stories, and Daqri Elements.
An app that allows you to create your own
Augmented Reality experiences by selecting the
video overlays and trigger images is Aurasma.
Please visit my website for more information and resources on Augmented Reality:
Nicole Geiler- Librarian
Email: nicole.geiler@pisd.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/pisd.edu/skaggs-library/
Location: 3201 Russell Creek Drive, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469-752-3327
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkaggsElementary?ref=hl
Twitter: @skaggslibrary