I’ve always thought an iPad is an amazing creation tool to use in education. So, I was super impressed when I learned about a way to improve iPad use through an Osmo. Osmo is an accessory for the iPad that connects physical objects around us to the learning environment created in Osmo Apps, creating a whole new platform for interaction. On its release, there were three free apps, Words, Tangram, and Newton.
This winter when I was assisting a teacher in creating a custom playlist for her Words App, I stumbled upon a unique opportunity. At my.playosmo.com, you can sign up to become part of their beta testing program to try out new apps the company is developing. I thought, why not? and signed up.
A few months later, I received an email inviting me to test a new app they were working on. I was so excited! It felt really cool to be on the inside track to learning about a new program from an innovative company. The process was simple. The app was sent to me to download and explore the beta version. The company created a virtual forum to share experiences with other beta testers. There was also an area to report bugs with the program and receive technical support. It was really interesting to see other peoples’ examples, questions and suggestions to help improve the program. The company was really listening to our feedback and as suggestions were made, new updates were released for us to explore. I took a lot of pride in helping to recognize what I was amazed by with the app and what needed to be improved to help the app become what it is today. If you have an Osmo in your classroom or school, I would recommend signing up for the beta program,
The new app that I test drove was Masterpiece. It is an art-based app that allows you to choose what you’d like to draw from a photo that you take or the photo gallery. The image displays on the screen, where you can resize it and manipulate the lines to fit your drawing style. Then, you start drawing. It is a very different style of drawing. It almost reminds me of the style of tracing where you hold an image up to a window to see the lines through the light coming through the pieces of paper. However, in this app, you see the image projected on the iPad and you draw on the paper in front of you and you watch the iPad to see if your lines match up. It requires you to think about the image in a different way. As you begin to sketch the design, you see your lines and your hand on the screen. When you are finished with your drawing, the app takes a picture of it that can be emailed or saved. And the biggest surprise for me was that it was recording the entire process and generates a stop motion style video of you completing your work of art! You can check out my fantastic art skills below ;)
A few months later, I received an email inviting me to test a new app they were working on. I was so excited! It felt really cool to be on the inside track to learning about a new program from an innovative company. The process was simple. The app was sent to me to download and explore the beta version. The company created a virtual forum to share experiences with other beta testers. There was also an area to report bugs with the program and receive technical support. It was really interesting to see other peoples’ examples, questions and suggestions to help improve the program. The company was really listening to our feedback and as suggestions were made, new updates were released for us to explore. I took a lot of pride in helping to recognize what I was amazed by with the app and what needed to be improved to help the app become what it is today. If you have an Osmo in your classroom or school, I would recommend signing up for the beta program,
The new app that I test drove was Masterpiece. It is an art-based app that allows you to choose what you’d like to draw from a photo that you take or the photo gallery. The image displays on the screen, where you can resize it and manipulate the lines to fit your drawing style. Then, you start drawing. It is a very different style of drawing. It almost reminds me of the style of tracing where you hold an image up to a window to see the lines through the light coming through the pieces of paper. However, in this app, you see the image projected on the iPad and you draw on the paper in front of you and you watch the iPad to see if your lines match up. It requires you to think about the image in a different way. As you begin to sketch the design, you see your lines and your hand on the screen. When you are finished with your drawing, the app takes a picture of it that can be emailed or saved. And the biggest surprise for me was that it was recording the entire process and generates a stop motion style video of you completing your work of art! You can check out my fantastic art skills below ;)
If you’ve never seen an Osmo before, contact your DLGWAEA technology consultant to check Osmo out.
~Amber Bridge, Technology Consultant
@abridgesmith
~Amber Bridge, Technology Consultant
@abridgesmith
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