Augmented Reality

“It’s Like Real Life…. But Better!”

Kellie Gerson

Introduction

• What is Augmented Reality? (AR)

• Blending of virtual data with what we see in the real world

Haven’t I seen this before?

Where did it come from?

What will I need?

• Device• Browser• Either:

– GPS– Marker

What will I need?

o Device (i.e. iPhone or Android)oCamera (provides view to see and

“examine” real-time object)o Internet Access (provides access to online

information)oGPS and/or Compass (optional for location

awareness)

What else will I need?

o Augmented Reality Browser

oSoftware that displays a layer of information about the object on the device’s screen.

oMany AR Browsers rely on knowing your location

Layar

Wikitude

What else will I need?o Location Awareness

o GPS coordinates may be used to find information about an object based on a specific location (a.k.a. geotagged information).

Google Sky Map

More Options

• Markers (i.e. QR Code), or other visual cues can be “scanned” to trigger text, sound and visuals regardless of your location. (like a barcode!)

• Available for free on websites such as Delivr.com

How can this be useful in the Academic World?

North Carolina State University’s WolfWalk

• Enables users to explore the University’s history using their mobile device

• Visit 90 “geotagged” sites on the NCSU campus and view historical images from NCSU Special Collections digital archives

How can it be used in the Evans Library and Library Instruction?

• Our very own Augmented Reality Evans Library tour!

• Scan a “marker” on the Evans Library building tofind out about hours, special events, etc.

• Scan a“marker” on the Government Documents shelf to link to the Federal Depository

website

• Scan a “marker” on a Library of Congress Classification sign to link to an online tutorial about how to understand LCC.

• Scan a “marker” on a poster promoting COM 2012 to link to a blog about the course.

Show Me!

What are the Drawbacks?

• Cost of hardware

• Digital Divide: Not every student is a technologically-savvy student.

• Still a work in progress

• Some applications lack educational value

• Uses for online students are limited

What are the Benefits?• “Augmented Reality has strong potential to

provide both powerful contextual, in situ learning experiences and serendipitous exploration and discovery of the connected nature of information in the real world.”

» The Horizon Report, 2010 Ed. (http://wp.nmc.org/horizon.org/)

What are some more benefits?

• Engages many styles of learning

• Enhances learning with the use of technology

• Creates a richer learning experience within a real-world physical context

• Helps students to take an active role in gathering and comprehending information

Let’s Recap!• Let’s Recap!

• So what does Augmented Reality have to do with ice cream???

The Future IS Now

• AR contacts lenses and glasses

• Social networking (facial recognition)

• AR Books

Viva la Realta Aumentata!

Further Information

• Library Journal: – www.libraryjournal.com

• 2010 Horizon Report: – www.wp.nmc.org/horizon

• OSU Library: – www.library.osu.edu

• Augmented Planet: – www.augmentedplanet.com

• YouTube– www.youtube.com