Going 3D and 4D in Education

One of the greatest sessions that I attended at the NCTIES conference this year had to do with using 3D and 4D technology.  Through the use of certain apps, students can make their pictures, elements, and studies of the brain and anatomy more engaging and fun.  Here are some of the apps that were shared:

colAR is an app that allows kids to color one of their coloring sheets and then use the app to make it come alive.  You get three color sheets with the free app and can purchase other page packets for $2.99.  This app can be a huge motivator for writing and covering such skills as details in writing and making predictions.  To view a demonstration of this app in action, go to http://colarapp.com .

Elements 4D by DAQRI is a science teacher's dream!  By going to their website and printing out the pages to make element cubes, you begin to make learning the Periodic Table much more interesting.  After making the paper cubes and downloading the free app, you simply point your device at the block face of the element that you want to view.  Magically, the block becomes transparent and you are looking at the element!  It gets really exciting when you combine two elements by pushing two blocks together.  That's when you will see the reaction of the two chemicals and the chemical make-up.  Science teachers or anyone who is interested can also purchase the wooden version of the blocks.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/daqri/elements-4d-interactive-blocks

goREACT is another app that shows the reaction of different elements.  In this one, there is no need to print anything.  When you turn on the app you will see a periodic table.  You simply drag and drop the elements to make combinations and the app shows you what that reaction is.  It also has a featured reaction section that shows the chemical makeup of things in nature, around the house, and more.

The Brain AR Anatomy and Anatomy 4D offer an inside look to the human body.  You can remove layers, view multiple layers or just one, and move the animation around to take different views.  Students can get close up views of such things as the respiratory, circulatory, skeletal, muscular, nervous, as well as other systems in the human body.  These apps are free but do require a free printout for it to work.  To get a view of how The Brain app works click here:  http://www.harmony.co.uk/brainapp/

I hope you enjoy the 3D and 4D world of apps!