Augmented Reality with Aurasma | Tech Tidbits

Aurasma is an augmented reality tool which allows you to overlay images and videos on to static content, sort of like "QR codes on steroids." The Guybrarian has incorporated it into his back-to-school library orientation plan, and thinks you should too.
Stop me if you've heard this one. As of next week I have exactly one month before I have to return to school. Once I get past the beginning of the year things, one of my major tasks is organizing a meaningful library orientation for my almost 300 incoming 9th grade students. No matter what level of the school library you work in, developing or improving how to introduce your library and the resources you provide to incoming students is an important task. I’m sorry to admit that I don’t think we have ever done this very well at my school. We don’t have a set schedule of visits for incoming students to visit the library for face-to-face training, and we are only a brief stop on the guided tour on opening day. So, we have been looking for tools that would change this. Aurasma logoEnter the Aurasma app, an augmented reality tool which allows you to overlay images and videos as your student’s tablet or smart phone scans an area. Aurasma allows you to select a “trigger” image like your circulation desk, library stacks, or even a photo, and then magic happens! As students scan an area you have set up your library with a device, an “aura” will appear.  An overlay is revealed on top of what the phone/tablet is scanning. The cool part is that the layer can be an animation, a video, or even a URL. It can be a very Harry Potterlike experience—scanning a poster or bulletin board can give the impression that the images themselves are coming to life! In my “bring-your-own-device” school district, I can see tremendous use for this. We have an iPad that we can loan to students for special projects like this one. I’ll set up overlays and videos throughout the library to showcase its resources, and to instruct the use of library devices. For example, if a student scans a smart phone over the circulation computer, a brief “how-to” video appears, giving instructions on how to search for materials. Kids' work can be displayed on back-to-school night, and parents will be able to view videos that show the students explaining their thought process. Biology teachers can use the app as an instruction tool for science labs. Students in math classes can create videos showing clues to solve difficult problems. History teachers can bring photos to life. It’s a bit like a QR code on steroids! There may be lots of augmented reality apps, but if you decide to download Aurasma, make an account, create and name an image/video that you want to be your overlay, and then select and use that as you photograph your “trigger” area. Finally, add it to a channel that you have created, make it public, and finish. In order for your students to see it, they will need to “like/follow” your channel. That way all the videos you make public and post on that channel will be visible. You’ve really got to see this in action to grasp the myriad of possibilities. Give it a try now and be patient—as with many mobile apps, a steady hand is required! After downloading the free Aurasma app, open it, click on the “A” at the bottom, and use the magnifying glass to search for and “follow” the SLJ channel.  Click on the frame icon at the bottom, and then scan the image below. If it works (you'll see a purple whirling swirl while it loads), you'll see a brief book promo video. There are several online tutorials too, but for some amazing Library Orientationideas take a look at this video: Teaching with Aurasma  by Charles Cooper. Then for a quick start guide, check out this blog post: Making it Legit: Aurasma  on the Thrasymakos blog, also by Charles Cooper. These examples will start your own creative juices flowing and you’ll begin to see how you can use it in your library to aid your patrons in discovering all you have to offer!  Happy orientation!  
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Dyann Campbell

I couldn't get it to work to view the aura. I'm lost at the part that says to click on the frame image and then scan the image below. Could you provide some guidance? I get to the camera, but I don't know how to get back to scan the image. Thanks!

Posted : Jul 14, 2013 01:34

pgoerner

Sure Dyann- It can be a bit tricky, so I'm glad you asked! Try some of these things below: My biggest mistake when I started was that I had neglected to FOLLOW an account. So, open the Aurasma app then click on the A at the bottom center of the screen to open up the Explore tabs in order to search for an account to follow. At the bottom of that screen you'll see A, +, [ ], and magnifying glass. Select the magnifying glass which should open the search window. In the search window- type "SLJ" where you probably would see some photo icons and a colorful "A" marked SLJ for the SLJ account. Click on that colorful A -SLJ and you should open the SLJ page. On the upper right, make sure to tap "follow" (on iphone) or "like" on an ipad. Once you have done that, you can exit the SLJ that screen by clicking on the [ ] "frame" to activate the camera. Using the camera, point it up at the image. (Now that you are following the SLJ account all the Aura's set up by SLJ will be triggered once you point your camera at the image, area etc. that SLJ has set up). SO, once you are following SLJ and scan the image of my library it should trigger a purple swirl and then a short video. *Note it may take a few seconds for your phone/ipad/android to download and play it. If this didn't work please reply here or contact me via twitter @pgoerner if you still need assistance. I'd love to know if it works for you, so please write either way! Thanks ~ Phil G PS- you can see who you are following by clicking the A to get the menu, then selecting the person at the bottom right. I'd suggest following Jill Compher, clicking on the links in the article then scanning some of her images for triggers. She has done some incredible stuff!

Posted : Jul 14, 2013 02:46


Charles Cooper

Thanks for the great write up! We've got more exciting uses for Aurasma and AR on the way. Are you guys on Twitter at all? Shoot me a tweet @Thrasymachus or my coworker @JillCompher any time. We love spreading the Augmented Reality word.

Posted : Jul 09, 2013 10:30


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