By: D. Bosse, T. Evans, & D. Tulk.
ETEC 510
About the Design Project.
As many of us have experienced, the first few days at a new job, school, class, etc., can be a daunting experience and leave learners utterly confused on how the social, academic, or norms function in that specific locale. It takes time and experience to learn how to function in the specific environment and become acclimated to how things operate. The trepidation and stress associated with the new environment would only be compounded in the event that the new individual was also trying to learn a new language. Be that in a language immersion program or as a new resident to Canada that is trying to learn English or French. The intent of this project is to help those students in Immersion and ELL programs become more fluent with the language elements as well as assist in alleviating stress and helping students become accustomed to the regular social norms and functioning of a particular environment.
The main focus of our design project is to enhance the language learning of English language learning (ELL) students in grade 6-9 through the use of augmented reality software. Aurasma, an augmented reality design and viewing software, will allow students to access a set of augmented-reality media that will be overlaid on objects within the school and beyond. Students will create, edit, and share their own media to create additional overlays for important places, objects, events, and actions
The use of this technology will have two important outcomes. Primarily, the students will be encouraged to engage and work with the new language that is being learned and utilizing it in real life situations. Secondly, students who are new to a language, class, or even country will be able to access instant lessons that help them navigate the new environment and the different tasks they will need to use in order to work within the class. This will, theoretically, alleviate some of the stress of the new environment and help students learn.