Since it’s release in late 2014, Osmo has proved to be an engaging way to interact with an iPad in a whole new way. If you don't know, Osmo is an accessory for the iPad that connects physical objects around us to the learning environment created within the Osmo Apps, creating a whole new platform for interaction.
In the two years since it’s release, they have done a lot of great updates and extended into new products and apps, so my question to you is How Well Do You Know Osmo?
How many of the questions below can you answer?
How many apps work with your Osmo?
Words, Tangram, and Newton were the first three apps that Osmo released. They have added to the app family with Masterpiece, a drawing app, and Numbers, their math app that covers skills of counting, adding, and multiplying. They came out with two new releases this summer including Osmo Coding, a stem-based app that has students determine a path for Awbie to help him navigate the forest and collect strawberries. The Coding Set includes interchangeable buttons to help write custom code that interacts with the character on the screen. As with computer coding, there is not one correct coding path and allows the users to learn about different code blocks along the journey. And last, but not least, Osmo Monster which takes a completely different turn than the other apps, as part of their creativity suite of apps (Monster, Masterpiece, Newton). Kids interact with Mo, who asks questions and has students draw objects that get pulled into the app by Mo. The animation really starts to blur the line between physical and virtual world, which creates a customized experience for each student.
Altogether, there are now 7 apps that work with your Osmo!
In the two years since it’s release, they have done a lot of great updates and extended into new products and apps, so my question to you is How Well Do You Know Osmo?
How many of the questions below can you answer?
How many apps work with your Osmo?
Words, Tangram, and Newton were the first three apps that Osmo released. They have added to the app family with Masterpiece, a drawing app, and Numbers, their math app that covers skills of counting, adding, and multiplying. They came out with two new releases this summer including Osmo Coding, a stem-based app that has students determine a path for Awbie to help him navigate the forest and collect strawberries. The Coding Set includes interchangeable buttons to help write custom code that interacts with the character on the screen. As with computer coding, there is not one correct coding path and allows the users to learn about different code blocks along the journey. And last, but not least, Osmo Monster which takes a completely different turn than the other apps, as part of their creativity suite of apps (Monster, Masterpiece, Newton). Kids interact with Mo, who asks questions and has students draw objects that get pulled into the app by Mo. The animation really starts to blur the line between physical and virtual world, which creates a customized experience for each student.
Altogether, there are now 7 apps that work with your Osmo!
Can you customize any of the apps?
There is more to the Words app than meets the eye. If you have your Osmo set-up and using the Words app as is, you are missing out on an important component of helping to customize the experience for your students. I would encourage you to go to https://my.playosmo.com/ and set up your free account. In the Play Osmo account, you can create customized word lists based off of your curriculum that you can download onto your iPad to make it relevant to what your students are doing in class. Use your own pictures and scaffold the words you will connect with that picture by adding a difficulty level to the word. So, if a student is performing well in the app, they will start to get more difficult words or easier words if they are struggling.
Also, in the Masterpiece App, students can take photos of what they would like to draw. I love this idea on their blog, where students can take a picture of their mom to create a customized mother's day card. One of my favorite features of this app, is the stop motion video that is generated when a drawing is finished that it really shows the creation process of the student.
You can also create custom profiles for your students on the Osmo and review those profiles and student progress using the Play Osmo Account.
There is more to the Words app than meets the eye. If you have your Osmo set-up and using the Words app as is, you are missing out on an important component of helping to customize the experience for your students. I would encourage you to go to https://my.playosmo.com/ and set up your free account. In the Play Osmo account, you can create customized word lists based off of your curriculum that you can download onto your iPad to make it relevant to what your students are doing in class. Use your own pictures and scaffold the words you will connect with that picture by adding a difficulty level to the word. So, if a student is performing well in the app, they will start to get more difficult words or easier words if they are struggling.
Also, in the Masterpiece App, students can take photos of what they would like to draw. I love this idea on their blog, where students can take a picture of their mom to create a customized mother's day card. One of my favorite features of this app, is the stop motion video that is generated when a drawing is finished that it really shows the creation process of the student.
You can also create custom profiles for your students on the Osmo and review those profiles and student progress using the Play Osmo Account.
| Can I save paper when students use the Monster/Newton/Masterpiece app? Yes! You can use a small dry erase board to quickly erase and start over. You can use your own dry erase board or you can purchase the Creative Set that comes with a custom size dry erase board that fits around the Osmo base. I do like that in the Creative Set, it comes with a bag that can double as an eraser and a marker bag! Utilizing a dry erase board will help to cut down on your paper use. However, when you start the Monster app it will ask you if you will use a dry erase board or paper. Both are okay! |  |
How can I find ways to fit it into my curriculum?
Osmo has created a Teacher's Guide that highlights the ins and outs of each app and includes lesson plans through 8th grade as well as some all ages curriculum. There are some fantastic ideas to help you get started.
Have you learned any tricks of the trade while using your Osmo? Let us know! We love to hear how educators are using technology in the classroom.
~Amber Bridge, @abridgesmith
Digital Learning Consultant
Grant Wood AEA
Osmo has created a Teacher's Guide that highlights the ins and outs of each app and includes lesson plans through 8th grade as well as some all ages curriculum. There are some fantastic ideas to help you get started.
Have you learned any tricks of the trade while using your Osmo? Let us know! We love to hear how educators are using technology in the classroom.
~Amber Bridge, @abridgesmith
Digital Learning Consultant
Grant Wood AEA
RSS Feed
