ZapWorks is an augmented reality platform where users can create their own interactive experience through images, videos and animations.
In the tutorial activity, I linked my ZapWorks creation to English creative writing. I used an image I had taken of ‘my favourite place’ and envision this technology used as an English creative writing task aligning with the English K-10 syllabus outcome “think in ways that are imaginative, creative, interpretive and critical” (NESA, 2019). Students are to use the technology for their own ‘favourite place’ and use ZapWorks to creatively assemble their own augmented reality. This approach encourages active learning and allows students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills (Cheng et al., 2020).
Teachers may use ZapWorks to create interactive flashcards for a vocabulary or in younger primary years, spelling. This combines creative learning with the necessary content, aligning with the syllabus outcome EN1-11D “using a range of strategies to help spell unfamiliar words” (NESA, 2019). Students can use inspiration from the class novel and bring the characters or settings to life. Students are to use their comprehension of the novel to draw their idea of how it would visually appear. This activity combines comprehension “identifying, comprehending, selecting, articulating, imagining, critically analysing and evaluating.” (NESA, 2012) and visual arts “Experiments with a range of media in selected forms.” and “makes artworks in a particular way about experiences of real and imaginary things.” (NESA, 2012).
The Mathematics syllabus outcome MA1-1WM requires students to use concrete materials and a pictorial representation to support mathematical concepts and ideas. ZapWorks can be used to bring content to life and allow for a visual, hands-on representation, aligning with a constructivist pedagogy. This approach allows students to visualize and interact with abstract concepts, making it easier to understand and remember them (Awwal et al., 2020). ZapWorks can be used to digitally explore models of animals and the human body, using the 3D function to zoom in and out of the projecting images in AR. This activity aligns with the outcome ST1-10LW, which focuses on communicating ideas and observations in a range of methods.
ZapWorks provides students the opportunity to construct their own knowledge and interact with an activity hands-on, fostering creativity, curiosity and a deeper understanding of course content, despite the subject.
However ZapWorks can be very time-consuming. I struggled in our tutorial to complete this task and actually had to stay back with David for assistance. The image and QR code I have provided may not work due to the technical difficulty I faced in class however David said to include it still as it briefly worked. In a normal primary school class, there are roughly 25 students and 1 teacher and this would be impossible for all students to have one-on-one time with the teacher if struggling with the technology. The creative aspect of the task may distract from the content as students may focus on aesthetics rather than the task that covers the necessary content.
References
Awwal, N., Al-Balushi, S., & Al-Maamari, F. (2020). The effect of using augmented reality on primary school student’s academic achievement and creativity. Journal of Educational Technology and Society, 23(4), 190–202.
NSW Education Standard Authority. (2012). English K - 10 Syllabus. Nsw.edu.au https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/english-year-10/english-k-10
NSW Education Standard Authority. (2019). Mathematics K - 10 Syllabus. Nsw.edu.au https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/mathematics/mathematics-k-10
NSW Education Standards Authority. (2015). Creative Arts K–6 NSW education standards. Nsw.edu.au. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/creative-arts/creative-arts-k-6-syllabus
NSW Education Standards Authority. (2017). Science and Technology K–60 NSW education standards. Nsw.edu.au https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/science/science-and-technology-k-6-new-syllabus
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