Aurasma

Recommended for Ages: K-12 (see below)

Scanning only: K-12 
Creating auras: 6th - 12th grades


Rating in iTunes: 4 out of 5
My Rating: 4 out of 5


Brief Description: Aurasma is a free augmented reality app that allows a user to scan an image and view one or more layers of content in the form of video, audio, and text that makes viewing the image a truly interactive experience. The layers of content over the image are called Auras.  

• For a cool demo, download the Aurasma app and scan the back of a dollar bill.

User-Friendliness: The learner can easily use the app for scanning a picture and getting the content. A first time user will need to search for and follow a target channel (like an educator's class channel) in order to unlock and view the content within it. 
Many features of creating an aura are not intuitive. There is a definite learning curve for Aurasma Studio (the software for creation), but the help tutorials are very useful. 

Critical-thinking: Creating an aura requires multiple high-level thinking skills: analyzing, evaluating, applying, synthesizing, creating. 

Differentiation: The overlays allow for a great deal of differentiation. Auras can project video, webpages, images, text to engage all types of learners. Creation of an aura lends itself to many levels of complexity, from a simple overlay to multiple overlays and advanced options.

Motivation: The app has the potential to be highly engaging, depending on the content/aura that is attached to the image scanned.  Creating an aura is an engaging challenge for middle and high school learners. 

Assessment/Reporting: The aura content can be assessed, but not within the app itself. The only feedback option within Aurasma is a "like" button, which applies to the whole channel. Users can share channels through Facebook, Twitter and email.

Account: Simply finding and scanning auras does not require an account. Creation requires an account, but it's free. There is a pro account option, which is fee-based, but the regular account is robust enough for most users. 

Classroom Use: For ELAR and in the library, Auras could be attached to book covers to show trailers, author bios, reviews. Learners could scan the book covers and see the content attached. Learners in upper grades could create their own book trailers and/or reviews, and attach those to books as well. 
If an educator doesn't want a channel to be public, a private sharing option is present. There is also an option for setting a time limit on the aura so that it only available between a limited time frame. 
The beauty of this app is that it's usefulness in any content is limited only by the creativity of the user. It is applicable for any content area and at any grade level. 

Reflection: Aurasma lends itself to many educational applications in all content areas. It is an engaging and creative platform that will challenge the creators and capture the interest of the users. Once the initial learning phase is accomplished, use is simple. Only drawback for educational use is that there is no commenting feature within the app. Still, it's a highly engaging app and will probably become more popular as time goes on. I see Auras replacing QR codes. 

Aurasma website: http://www.aurasma.com/#/whats-your-aura

Helpful videos:

Aurasma Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AurasmaLite Short Introduction: http://youtu.be/2ylRCVQtyWA
Creating and Publishing: http://youtu.be/ZkYZHCRKJbo
Teaching with Aurasma: http://youtu.be/uHIxYpBW7sc