Tag Archives: AR

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AASL Recommended Apps: Object Viewer for Merge Cube

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced their picks for Best Apps for Teaching & Learning 2019. “Apps recognized foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration and are user friendly to encourage a community of learners to explore and discover. “

“With Object Viewer from Merge Cube, students and teachers can convert their 3D designs into augmented reality (virtual) objects they can hold and preview on the MERGE Cube. Students can also preview their creations prior to 3D printing to ensure accuracy. Teachers can use Object Viewer to convert 3D models from popular libraries such as Google Poly and Remix 3D into virtual objects to illustrate complex topics and bring lesson plans to life.”

*Just a note that when you reserve a VR kit from CMLE, you also gain access to technology similar to Merge Cube. Our VR kits include AR technology called the ARCube, which you can learn more about here. Reserve your kit today!

Platform: iOS & Android
Cost:  Free, but need to purchase the Cube
Grades: All

The Merge website has a ton of information for educators, including ways to incorporate the Cube into STEM projects and makerspaces. The Grantwood Digital Learning site has this article sharing ideas for using the Merge Cube in your classrooms as well as other integrations to try with the app. This article from ISTE shares other ways to use the app in your classroom.

This video (2:50) shows a few examples of using the Object Viewer with the Merge Cube:

If you are interested in the best apps for your library, media center, or classroom, you can read our 2019 series here or find all past apps discussed in our archives.

School Media Specialist, Tech

AASL Recommended Apps: Metaverse – AR Browser

In June, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced their Best Apps for Teaching and Learning 2018. The apps encourage qualities such as creativity and collaboration, and encourage discovery and curiosity

The app Metaverse is an easy way for students to make their own Augmented Reality experiences. “Create mobile games and choose your own adventure interactive stories using the Metaverse Studio and watch them come to life in the Metaverse app browser. Learners can create all kinds of interactive experiences, including games, scavenger hunts, memes, and other educational experiences.” Explore Metaverse’s Medium site for projects and other inspiration. 

Platform: iOS and Android
Age: Middle and High School
Cost: FREE

This article from EdSurge has some great suggestions for how to use Metaverse and other AR tools to create classroom learning experiences. Listen to this podcast episode from TeacherCast that features the CEO of Metaverse as their Guest Host!

You can check out this video preview of the app but don’t get discouraged if it looks overwhelming. Their YouTube channel has plenty of tutorials to choose from.

Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

So What Are Students Reading?

Image by John-Morgan. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Common's licensing.
Image by John-Morgan. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Renaissance Learning has recently released the fifth edition of What Kids Are Reading: The Book Reading Habits of Students in American Schools.  This information was gathered from students in grades 1-12.  Results from this research have been made available online in both a summary format, as well as the full report.

In addition, the website provides a host of other resources including:

  • Report inforgraphic in PDF
  • Top 40 list of Accelerated Reading (AR) books selected by students
  • Top 25 Spanish Books
  • Required high school reading from 1907 to 2012
  • Caldecott and Newbery award winners, 1922 to Present

And, much more. Click here to enter the Renaissance Learning website to view the report findings and additional resources.