Aurasma is an exciting tool to use in the classroom! This
app / website allows you to create interactive images in
just three steps. When users open the Aurasma app, they
simply hold their device over the printed image, and they
are suddenly taken to videos, PDFs, and websites!
Students can hold their device over a picture of a math
problem and watch it come alive with directions on how
to work through it. Then, they can double tap the screen
to be taken to a website where they can practice with the
skill. Students can scan a picture of a polar bear and
suddenly find themselves watching a video of a polar bear
running on ice. The best part is that students can create
these “auras” too!
To begin, we will start with the website. Go to: https://studio.aurasma.com/home. Sign up for a free account.You will probably want to set up a username and password that are simple and generic so that your students can login and use the account as well. Your username will be how parents and others can follow your account, so you might want to make it something easy to remember. To be sure you get access to all the awesome features, click on My Account in the upper right hand corner. Under Account Administration, click on Enable Features. Click the box where it says Web Overlays and then click Upgrade. This is completely free. Now you are ready to create an Aura.
1. In the upper right hand corner, click on the plus sign next to where it says Create New Aura.
2. Click on the plus sign to upload a new trigger image. This is the image that you plan to print (that students will scan to launch the video). You can take a picture with your iPad and airdrop it to your Mac or download from the internet! Name the image, and choose BROWSE to get the picture from your files. Once you have your trigger image chosen, click Save. Then, click next.
3. Now you will choose your Overlay. This is the video or PDF or website that will appear on top of the
trigger image. Once you have chosen the video, click save. If you’d like, you can add more actions to
the Aura. In the box to the right, click Add Actions. Under where it says When Overlay is tapped,
click on Add Action. Now you can add a URL that will take students to a website. Just paste the URL
in the box. Then, click SAVE.
4. Now you are ready to share with students! Click Save in the upper right hand corner. Then, click
share. Now your aura is ready to be viewed!
Parents and others can view your Auras by downloading the app (Android and iPhone) and searching for
your username. Once they find you, they simply need to follow you. Once this happens, anytime you
print a trigger image or post one, users will be able to experience the aura.
The Aurasma app can be found in the app portal on student iPads. Creating an Aura on the iPad is just
like doing it on the web. It will be easier if students all use the same login and password ( the username
and password you used to set up the account). This way, they can add their own auras and view others.
To
create an Aura on iPad:
1. Click on the plus sign in the upper right hand corner to create a new aura.
2. Take the photo of the image you want to be your trigger image.
3. Now choose your overlay (video).
4. Share.
Aurasma makes it easy to create amazing images in just a few short, simple steps!
Overlays can be videos
from Doceri, iMovie, or the camera roll. Teachers can download videos to their Mac or Pc and use those
videos as overlays in their Auras. The possibilities are truly endless!
