Augmented Reality: ZapWorks

ZapWorks is a platform that allows users to create Augmented Reality experiences, a relatively new technology that involves incorporating virtual 3D graphics into the real world. Augmented reality (AR) aims to enhance the user’s immediate surroundings by enhancing it with virtual information (Carmigniani & Furht, 2011). Augmented reality is already accessible and utilised in the classroom (e.g. Osmo, Civilisations AR and Virtuali-Tee) but ZapWorks allows students to create these experiences themselves, providing new rich learning experiences.

Augmented reality can seem like a daunting task, but ZapWorks was user friendly and fairly simple to use. It is customisable and easily accommodates your own files, not just the ones provided on the site. Whilst being easy to use, you can still create many complex AR experiences through world, image, and face tracking and the different AR triggers provided.

Images from ZapWorks site: displays available options to customise AR experience.

FOSTERING CREATIVITY:

ZapWorks is a fantastic tool for fostering creativity as it literally allows students to expand their thinking out of the real world. It provides a new and exciting way to display information and create demonstrations, allowing students to innovate and problem solve which directly fosters creativity (Billinghurst & Duenser, 2012). Providing opportunities for students to deeply engage with content and allowing them to display their learning in creative ways fosters not only creativity but rich learning experiences (Billinghurst & Duenser, 2012). Similarly, by engaging in AR, students participate in social interaction and collaboration (Seely, Creasy & Doll, 2022) which allows them to share and expand on their creative ideas.

ZapWorks can easily be integrated into lessons as a creative and engaging way to display their understanding and to expand upon the content. For example, for Science, students can use image or world tracking to place native animals into the appropriate habitats, whether it be on images in the classroom or out in the environment. Students will have the ability to view each other’s AR to collaborate and learn from and with each other.

AR Trigger Image - Scan the QR Code!

Screen recording of AR experience after scanning code.

PEDAGOGICAL ISSUES:

I do believe ZapWorks to be a highly beneficial application for use in the classroom. Whilst I found it easy to use, younger primary students may not, so providing them with ready made experiences to explore will be more beneficial. For older students, the opportunity to make their own AR experience is invaluable. It is important to note that ZapWorks is a paid program and only offers a short free-trial period.

Zapworks Site

REFERENCES:

Billinghurst, M., & Duenser, A. (2012). Augmented reality in the classroom. Computer, 45(7), 56-63.

Carmigniani, J., & Furht, B. (2011). Augmented reality: an overview. Handbook of augmented reality, 3-46.

Seely, B. J., Creasy, A., & Doll, H. (2022, February). ZapWorks (Augmented Reality) Workshop. In Fablearn. org.