Want to soar above the globe, dissect a tarantula, or pull apart a molecule? With 3D interactive apps, students can reach into new ways of learning about the universe. Over the past year, educators around the world experimented with new ways to use Leap Motion technology, and today we’re looking back at two of our favorite stories from the classroom.
Special-Needs Students Take a #LeapInto Learning
When kids break out of their comfort zones, they can discover amazing things – about the world and themselves. Earlier this year, Mathieu Marunczyn, an Australian special-needs educator and IT coach, brought the Leap Motion Controller into school to see what would happen. In the video below, you can see how they explored the world, flew through the air, and stretched skills ranging from literacy to critical thinking:
“It was really tremendous seeing their initial response, because they were so excited. Especially with kids with autism, if you’re producing circumstances that support a social aspect – getting the kids to talk and discuss what they’re doing with each other and interacting – that’s a wonderful skill. Not only are they learning, not only cruising around the world, they’re talking to their peers, supporting each other, and encouraging each other.” Read more »
Immersive “Holodeck” Classroom at Ohio University
In an unassuming room at Ohio University’s Athens campus, students have the power to travel virtually anywhere on Earth and dive into virtual cities. The “Holodeck,” as it’s popularly called, uses projectors, Google Earth, and the Leap Motion Controller to generate 3 interactive walls – which can become an IMAX-style chalkboard, Chinese calligraphy practice, Minecraft exploration platform, and much more. Read more »
You can discover a wide variety of learning experiences in the Airspace Store’s education category. We have apps for any student or scholar, including our top-rated Explore and Learn app collection, which brings together the best discovery apps under one roof.
Physics, social studies, language arts – what would you like to explore with Leap Motion? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter, or join the conversation on our 2013 in review forum thread.