Aurasma

Aurasma is an "augmented reality" app for iOS and Android devices that lets you experience and create an augmentation of reality, or "Aura," with everyday objects such as pictures, objects, and even buildings. It works by turning a real-life, tangible object into a "trigger" for another way to express information, called an "overlay." Basically, augmented reality is REALLY COOL!

Getting Started with Aurasma Uses for Music Class Resources
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Getting Started with Aurasma
Navigating the Aurasma App Creating Your Own Auras
 * In this section:**



Navigating the Aurasma App
When you open the Aurasma app for the first time, you will be walked through a brief tutorial. The last page of the tutorial will give you the option to sign up for an account. You do not need an account to view Auras on your device, but you do need to be signed in to create new Auras that can be seen on more than just your device.

Each subsequent time you open the app, the first thing you will see is the viewfinder. You will see dots bouncing around within a frame on the screen; like a QR reader or other scanner, this shows that the app is searching for scannable items (triggers) that will launch an Aura.

You can click the "i" in the top right corner of the screen to launch a user guide right from the app.

You can click the Aurasma icon at the bottom of the screen to launch the menu, which will let you explore other Auras, create your own Auras, and manage your profile.

From the menu, the bar at the bottom of the screen will display the options. The "+" button is for creating new Auras of your own. The square frame button is to go back to the viewfinder that lets you scan images to launch Auras. The magnifying glass will let you search for users, channels, or specific Auras. The mountain icon will show your account details, incuding channels you are following, a list of your own Auras, and account information (password, username, email). If you have not yet logged in or created an account, you can do so from the Account page of the menu. Aurasma automatically allows you to follow the "Popular Auras" channel, whether or not you are logged in.

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Creating Your Own Auras
Start by clicking the "+" button from the menu. Click the "i" at the top right of the screen for assistance at any point in creating your Aura.
 * 1) Choose Overlay: (what will play on top of your trigger image when you launch your Aura)
 * Aurasma has a library of computer-animated overlays that you can filter down by searching for a specific term (like "music") and/or using the filter button to only show their overlays that are animated, a still image, or a 3D image.
 * Another option, and the one you will likely use more often, is to click "Device" at the bottom of the screen to choose an overlay from your own device:
 * Click the "+" button in the top right to add a new overlay either from your camera or photo album. If you click "camera," the device camera will launch from within the Aurasma app to capture a newimage or video to use as an overlay
 * Once you choose your overlay, give it a name, then click "Finish." This overlay will then display in your device overlay library.
 * The pencil icon will let you edit/delete the overlays in your device overlay library as necessary.
 * Click on the overlay from your device overlay library and click "Select" to use this particular overlay in your new Aura.
 * 1) Capture Trigger Image: The trigger image is what will be scanned using the Viewfinder to launch your Aura and display the overlay. You will capture the trigger image using the camera from within the Aurasma app. You can crop the size of the trigger image by moving/adjusting the frame shown on the screen. Your trigger image can either be a 2D object (like a picture, poster, or piece of paper) or a 3D object (like an instrument, furniture, or even a location like an area of your school building). Aurasma will tell you if your trigger image is unlikely to be recognized by the viewfinder when it's time to launch your Aura. If you get this message, try taking a picture of a different object as your trigger image. You may choose to activate the location of this Aura so other Aurasma users can recognize it on a map or when they are closeby.
 * 2) Position Overlay: place your overlay on top of your trigger image at the size and position of your preference. You can stretch or shrink your overlay height and length wise, move it up/down/side to side, or use two fingers to rotate it. Once you are happy with the position, click the arrow to create your Aura.
 * 3) Add Details: Give your Aura a name, designate it as either private or public, and add it to one of your channels if you'd like (if you do not yet have any channels, the app will prompt you to create one once you choose this option). Once you have added all your details, click "Finish."
 * 4) Test out your Aura by capturing the trigger image in the Viewfinder to make sure it launches your overlay.

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Uses for Music Class

 * Rhythm/Melody: Have students create a video of themselves performing a rhythm/melody that they have written, either by speaking/singing, clapping, and/or performing on an instrument, to overlay on top of the page containing their own rhythm/melody.
 * Expression: Have students create a video of themselves performing and/or moving with varying dynamics, tempo, articulation, etc. to overlay on top of a flashcard that displays the Italian term for that element of expression.
 * Movement: Create a video of a class or small group dance performance to overlay on top of a representation of the piece of music for which the dance was performed/created, such as a copy of the notation, a page in a text book, or simply a printout of the title
 * Instrument Families: Have students create videos that include a recording of a given instrument as well as other information about the instrument to overlay on top of either an image of that instrument or the physical instrument itself if it is in stationary location in your room (e.g., hanging on your wall or on a particular spot on a shelf)
 * Composers: Have students create videos about a composer to present short biographical information about that composer to overlay on top of an image of that composer
 * Worksheets: Create a video giving information and tips about how complete a worksheet to overlay on top of that worksheet

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Resources

 * Aurasma Customer Guidelines - A Comprehensive Guide to Aurasma
 * Aurasma Guide for Teachers and Other Educators
 * Pitch Publications: Aurasma in the Classroom

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