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Augmented Reality

buckleit — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 12:23:14 +0000

You’ve heard about AR (Augmented Reality). What is it, and how does it work?

Download this month’s LittleClickers as an easy to print, one page PDF –> littleclickers-ar

Imagine being able to look inside your chest to see your heart beating or flapping your arms to fly between New York City skyscrapers. Or how about trying out a new chair before you buy it, or playing checkers with someone who looks like they are sitting next to you– but is physically around the world. Let’s find out how much you know about AR.

1. Can you explain “Pepper’s Ghost? Is it AR?” At http://bitly.com/2qpTJBr you learn how to make ghosts appear in your attic using reflections on glass. The AR-like effect dates back to 1862 and has been used to spook visitors to places like Disney’s Haunted Mansion.

2. What’s the difference between AR, VR and MR (Mixed Reality)? At Franklin Institute https://www.fi.edu/difference-between-ar-vr-and-mr you learn that the best term might be “mixed” reality, because of the way computers can be used to blend real and abstract information.

3. Which two AR systems are most interesting right now? How much do they cost? For about $2300 you can purchase Google’s Magic Leap. Microsoft’s HoloLens costs a bit more. Both represent the current state of the art for Augmented Reality. Unlike the VR headsets, AR systems have see-through screens that layer your digital information over what you see.
Learn more:
• Magic Leap –> http://bitly.com/2Qcnp0b
• HoloLens –> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens

4. How will construction workers use AR? At https://mixedreality.trimble.com/ you can see contractors use a special HoloLens hardhat to map blueprints over a construction site.

5. What about pilots? Visit https://glass.aero to learn about a company that attempted to create an AR system for pilots. Find out what they learned, at http://bitly.com/2qljPFs

6. Can AR turn you into a bird? Yep! Here’s an example of a Senior Thesis project that turned into a cool business. Birdly is a flying simulator that lets you flap your arms to glide. You can buy one for about $135,000! http://birdlyvr.com/

APPLICATION: Make some AR It’s easy — get a whiteboard marker and look into a mirror. (Source: Digtoknow.com http://bitly.com/2QiZlbK.

Draw a mustache on your face, and take a picture. You’ve “augmented your reality.” If you want to learn AR on a computer, it’s a bit more complicated. Learn Unity3D, Vuforia AR, ARKit and ARCore, and all you can about interfaced design. Here’s a link to get started. https://unity3d.com/learn/learn-arkit

Augmented Reality on YouTube

Want more? Here’s a video playlist that go along with this column:

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

Exploring Scratch

buckleit — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 00:41:31 +0000

Teachers and librarians — Download this month’s topic as a one page PDF.

Scratch is a free, easy to learn computer language that is growing in popularity. Did you know there are six types of projects you can make? Can you name them? Let’s take a closer look, at https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/all

1. Animations. Use the camera and timing features to make things move on the screen. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/animations/

2. Art. Scratch has built in drawing tools that make it possible draw in freestyle. You can also create interesting geometric patterns, like this one. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/art/

3. Games. From Pong to Pokémon, you can find all sorts of games in Scratch. Maze games are good to start with, because they introduce you to motion and collisions. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/

4. Music. Scratch gives you a library of sounds, or you can record your own. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/music/

5. Stories. You can mix your writing with pictures, videos or recordings. In fact, Scratch makes it easy to narrate your story. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/stories/

6. Tutorials. What to teach somebody how to train a puppy or build a treehouse? Make your own tutorial, at https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/tutorials/

APPLICATION

How do I start with Scratch? Scratch won’t work with mobile devices, so you’ll need a Chromebook or Laptop (Windows or Mac) plus good internet access. A camera and microphone is recommended. Follow these three steps.

Step 1: Find Scratch. On your computer, type the word “Scratch” into any search engine, or go to http://mit.scratch.edu

Step 2: Register. Think up a screen name and password. You’ll also need an email address in order to confirm the account. Login, and choose “Create.”

Step 3: Take the tutorials. We’ve linked to some tutorials in this month’s YouTube playlist. It’s also smart to preview samples. https://scratch.mit.edu/starter_projects/

Puppies

buckleit — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:04:54 +0000

Did you know that a dog can small 10,000 times better than you, and that a Great Dane can grow to be over 200 pounds? Let’s learn some more about puppies.

Read this column as a one page PDF

1. What is the biggest dog in the world? According to Mother Nature Network, the Great Dane wins this award. They can grow to over 200 pounds! Fortunately there are very gentle. http://bitly.com/2npo4yV.

2. What about the smallest dog in the world? Read about a tea cup sized Chihuahua named Millie at http://dailym.ai/2nnxpas

3. How long does a dog live most dogs live about 14 years, but it depends on the breed. http://bitly.com/2nmRT38

4. Smartest dog. Dog intelligence comes in many forms… just like people! But if you want a highly trainable pup, go for a Border Collie, according to WebMD. See the other trainable breeds at http://bitly.com/2DWBFbl

5. Who has a better sniffer — you or your pup? A typical dog can small 10,000 to 100,000 times better than you can. At PBS Nova’s site http://to.pbs.org/2nzteaF you learn that if you make the analogy to vision, what you and I can see at a third of a mile, a dog could see more than 3,000 miles away.”

APPLICATION
Get a dog! There are many online databases designed to make a match between a home and a puppy. Here are two: Petfinders https://www.petfinder.com and Adopt a pet. https://www.adoptapet.com/dog-adoption

Take some fun dog photos! Here’s our favorite place for fun dog photos. https://www.instagram.com/chasingchara/

Projection Mapping

buckleit — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 04:45:18 +0000

Download this column as a one page PDF

Do you like to play with shadows? If so, you’ll love projection mapping. That’s when you use a computer projector to create a cool effect on a ceiling or building. Let’s learn some more.

1. What is projection mapping? According to http://projection-mapping.org/whatis/ you learn that it’s simply pointing a computer projector at something, to paint it with light. You can play a scary video on your house a Halloween, or make Santa’s sled move across your ceiling during a concert. The possibilities are endless.

2. What do I need to get started? Two things: a computer (or tablet) and a projector. Also handy — a dark place, a light colored surface, extension cords, graphics adapters and permission from your neighbors. Remember that projection mapping can draw a crowd, so you’ll want to make sure that everyone is safe. Read more about the history of projection mapping here: bitly.com/2ksPhCc.

3. What software do I need? There are many specialized programs that let you carve up your space so that the light matches your target. See http://projection-mapping.org/software-2/ for a good list. You can also use common presentation software like PowerPoint or Keynote. It helps to use highly contrasting images. Experiment with the slide transitions.

CHECK THIS OUT! The Seven Wonders of the World, in VR. https://nyti.ms/2BBS145 This single link is your ticket to places like the Great Wall of China, in VR. If you don’t have a Google Cardboard headset, don’t worry. You can look around with a swipe or with your mouse.

Projection Mapping on YouTube

Want more? Here’s a video playlist that go along with this column

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcBVHzUUEKwkyIe_rRgNdH78Qnw5E–b5

Scratch

buckleit — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 15:45:29 +0000

Teachers and librarians –download this page as a one page PDF

Scratch is a computer language plus a file sharing system used by a huge international community of older kids (mostly aged 9 and up). While you can’t use Scratch to make a commercial app, it is possible to replicate games like Pong or Flappy Birds. You can also use Scratch to make interactive art, tell stories or animate objects. You can even turn your camera into a sensor. Let’s learn more about Scratch.

1. How do you get Scratch? Using a laptop (Mac, Windows or Chrome) go to www.mit.scratch.edu and make an account. A camera and microphone is recommended. Try to get the cat to move.

2. How much does Scratch cost? Nothing. And there are no ads or sponsored content, either. According to https://scratch.mit.edu/info/faq Scratch was paid for by grants.

3. Who invented Scratch? A team of geeks at the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. No single individual invented Scratch. But the most important influence was Seymour Papert, a mathematician who died last year. Learn more about Dr. Papert at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seymour_Papert

4. What can’t Scratch do? Scratch projects can’t be more than 10 MB, and Scratch won’t work on an iPad or Android tablet. In addition, you can’t use Scratch to make a commercial app. For that, use something like Unity www.unity3D.com instead. Learn more about Scratch, at https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/

5. There is a cat in Scratch. What is his/her name? The famous cat is actually a sprite, and it doesn’t have a name. Staying true to the philosophy of Scratch, all the ideas come from you. So it’s up to you to name the cat.

APPLICATION: Get started with Scratch in 3 steps

Step 1: Find Scratch. On your computer, type the word “Scratch” into any search engine, or go to http://mit.scratch.edu

Step 2: Register. Think up a screen name and password. You’ll also need an email address in order to confirm the account. Login, and choose “Create.”

Step 3: Take the tutorials. We’ve linked to some tutorials in this month’s YouTube playlist. It’s also smart to preview samples. https://scratch.mit.edu/starter_projects/

Pokémon GO

Megan Billitti — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:20:55 +0000

Pokémon collecting has been going on for nearly 20 years. What’s different this summer is the addition of the AR, or Augmented Reality in your mobile phone. Let’s learn more about Pokémon GO.

>>>> Download this page as a PDF <<<<

1. Where did Pokémon come from? This Wikipedia page http://bitly.com/2aqk3Ev has history of Pokémon, or “Pocket Monsters.” If you study the URL for the Pokémon company, you can guess the country https://www.pokemon.co.jp/

2. Which is more powerful. A Charizard or a Mew? The strongest characters are listed here http://bit.ly/2amsum6. Answer: Mew.

3. How many Pokémon games and shows are there? A lot. There are now dozens of video games, plush toys, apps and shows. See a full listing on the bulbapedia – a Pokémon encyclopedia http://bit.ly/2a3rOxs.

4. Which Pokémon was first? View the answer to this complicated question on Kotaku (note that we noticed some bad language in some of the comments) http://bit.ly/1ySNELi.

5. T/F The Pokémon GO game was inspired by an April Fools joke. Watch this video made by Google and it explains how Google Maps drive Pokémon GO. The answer is True. Pokémon GO was inspired by a joke https://youtu.be/4YMD6xELI_k

APPLICATION

1.Make your own origami Pikachu- http://bit.ly/2amwOlr

2. How to start Pokemon GO- Here is beginners guide to starting http://bit.ly/29ZLp4y

All About YouTube

Megan Billitti — Mon, 23 May 2016 10:20:13 +0000

Teachers and Librarians, download this page as a PDF (one printed page). Use this link.

Every minute, YouTube’s busy servers pull in over 300 hours of fresh, new videos. Where are they stored? Who owns them? Which get the most views? Keep reading to learn more about the world’s leading video sharing service.

1. Where is YouTube actually located? The business is run in California in a huge glass building (901 Cherry Ave., San Bruno, CA). Here’s the street view https://goo.gl/maps/YoX7H9scCo22

2. Who started YouTube, who owns it? Back in 2005 three friends used money they earned by investing in PayPal to launch the service. They then sold it to Google for $1.65 billion. That’s a small fraction of what it’s worth today, according to Fortune http://for.tn/1WcVXPJ.

3. Where are the videos stored? In a server farms, scattered around the world. We found a description of how it all works, at http://bit.ly/1UfELml

4. What to see the first YouTube Video? Back in 2005, Jawed Karim (one of the three guys) posted an 18-second video, called “Me at the zoo.” It’s still live at https://youtu.be/jNQXAC9IVRw

5. Which videos have the most hits? Music videos get the most traffic, and are listed here http://bit.ly/1Fhe0LU. One of the most popular non-music videos is called “Charlie bit my finger” with https://youtu.be/_OBlgSz8sSM

APPLICATION: Explore the 360 Videos One of the coolest new YouTube features is a new section dedicated to VR (Virtual Reality). As you watch, you can look around the scene, such as with this 360 view of a tornado https://youtu.be/TCXp9Y5uPn4. See more, at https://www.youtube.com/360

Action Cameras

Megan Billitti — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 17:23:20 +0000

—>Download this page as a PDF <—

Want to see what it looks like when you jump out of an airplane? Thanks to a new generation of cheap, rugged digital cameras it’s easy to find some amazing views, including the view from the back of a bird. Let’s learn these cameras, and watch some amazing videos.

1. Who invented the GoPro? Meet Nick Woodman, a surfer in search of a better way to capture his rides. He tells the story that led to his invention at http://bit.ly/1pozQHB.

2. Can you put your action camera inside a washing machine? You bet! They have no moving parts and waterproof cases. We found more crazy uses for action cams, including the view from a hula hoop, at http://bit.ly/213Nqy4

3. How far can an Action Camera fall, and still survive? At https://youtu.be/aU-KvtA20v8 you can see what happens when a camera falls out of an airplane.

4. How much does an Action Camera cost? Here are two options that vary in price. Both save their videos on tiny micro SD cards that cost about $20 for 64 GB (about 2 hours of HD video).

Kidizoom Action Cam ($50, VTech) comes with a waterproof container. You won’t get HD footage, but you won’t pay as much either. See http://bitly.com/1W2yVLb
The GoPro Hero 4 Silver ($350, GoPro) is the most famous action camera. Most of the videos you see on YouTube were captured with this camera http://bitly.com/1TqWdV2.

Running

Megan Billitti — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:51:20 +0000

Did you know that the fastest human can out-run an angry elephant? Or that the there is a marathon runner that is probably older than your great-grandparents? Let’s learn more about running.

1. Who is the fastest person in the world? Meet Usain Bolt from Jamaica at http://bitly.com/1VST8lJ who can run faster than you can ride a bike. He ran 100 meters in 9.58 seconds, which is about 23 MPH. See how this compares to other animals, at http://bit.ly/1XJTiKy.

2. What is the oldest marathon? The marathon started in Greece http://bit.ly/1F6YHH3, but one US city has a marathon that dates back to 1897. Can you guess which one? http://es.pn/1RwTAzC.

3. T/F Can a 100 year-old-person run a marathon? Meet Fauja Singh, aka the “Turbined Tornado” http://bitly.com/230ALxd. He’s the oldest man to complete a marathon.

4. What is the longest marathon? The Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race takes 51 days to complete. What to try? Here’s the site http://bit.ly/1T5cGlS.

5. I’m a good runner, and I want some money. What’s the best race to enter? Try your luck at the Dubai Marathon http://www.dubaimarathon.org because you could win $200,000. Here’s how the different races compare http://bit.ly/1UhU0kk .

Applications

1. Find a race near you http://bit.ly/1iCyi3K

2. Play some running games http://bit.ly/1yK5vY4