Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Stunning Slideshows with Haiku Deck


Haiku Deck
If you were looking for an antidote to text-heavy, dreary Powerpoint slideshows, the Haiku Deck, (an iPad app) is a breath of fresh air. HD lets you to create striking slide presentations using simple templates (with premium designs you can purchase, of course.)  Because the app limits how much text a user can put on each slide, the focus is on the amazing image or idea - not on lines and lines of cramped text.

Haiku Deck prompts the user to search Creative Commons images for each slide. Type in a few words, and Haiku Deck searches for pics large enough to fill the slide. (Users can also upload images from their iPad or import images from a number of sites: Flickr, Picasa, Instagram or Facebook.) Sign in with Twitter, Facebook or create your own account.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

View 3D Augmented Reality via your iPad





Augmented reality is a new way of seeing the world and exploring 3D models. There are three apps that help you do just that with your students. Easy to use, and lots of "wow" factor, along with some great learning - explore ancient ruins, view modern structures, get close-ups of insects and animals.


View 3D Spiders, Cars, Windmills, etc. using AR-Media Player
http://www.inglobetechnologies.com/en/new_products/arplayer_ios/info.php

AR (augmented reality) apps allow you to "see" floating 3D models on the table in front of you! Using the AR Player you can see, rotate and enlarge an image from a growing library of 3D models. Print the marker, aim your ipad camera at it, and select the model you wish to view. 

Download and Print the marker here.










"Augment" 3D viewer for iPad
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/augment/id506463171?mt=8

Augment is the best way to test paintings on your walls, and to discover buildings, objects or even characters in stunning 3D.

Download and Print the marker here.










Aurasma for iOS - insert 3D animations onto real world items
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aurasma-lite/id432526396?mt=8

Aurasma allows your smart phone or tablet to recognise images and objects. It then augments your view of the real-world with videos, music and 3D animations called “Auras”. You can even use the simple tools in the app to create and share your own Auras – for example, attach a video to a birthday card or create a 3D dinosaur right outside your own front door. 

A TED talk on developments in AR - Aurasma
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/lang/en//id/1515