Civilisations AR

With the use of augmented reality and modern smartphones, Civilisations AR brings the past to the present and makes it familiar. The interactivity -- sound effects, audio guides, and context-specific notes -- gives students a reason to connect with some of history's greatest treasures, including an Egyptian mummy, the Rosetta Stone, and Auguste Rodin's The Kiss.

Exploring an article on a tablet or phone -- and in a familiar space like a classroom or bedroom -- brings intimacy as well. Students can feel a sense of connection to the artifact as they move, scale, and rotate each piece while listening to facts or to the translation of the original text. It doesn't beat seeing the artifact in person, but it offers a fun, unique context that adds value to the experience. However, younger students may get frustrated with the time needed to place the artifact (especially on older phones and tablets), and there's inconsistency with the audio guides: Some replace the text notes, some don't. This inconsistency might encourage students of any level or age to rush through the experience. This means Civilisations AR offers excellent engagement for patient students, but learning can be superficial. But in a classroom context, with good teacher guidance and extrapolation, this app can offer an ideal "hook" to begin a lesson.