CoSpaces: 3D Creations

     During a faculty meeting, a coworker presented information she learned from an ELA professional development she went to. I received a handout that gave examples of how to get students to produce quality work that can be put in their Backpack of Skills. All of the examples given incorporated technology and how to encourage higher order thinking. For example, instead of decorating a bottle or pumpkin to explain the theme of a book, students could create a CoSpaces environment for the theme of their book. I had never heard of CoSpaces before so, I decided to go home and research it.

Google Images

     I learned that CoSpaces allows students to develop 3D creations that they can animate using code and view in virtual or augmented reality. The key features of CoSpaces are:

     Creation Tool Box: Students can choose the environment, characters, buildings (which they can build from scratch using geometric shapes), natural elements, animals, and transportation. This feature, basically, helps set the stage for the student's creation.

      

 
     Coding Features: The programming language for students is very basic and meant to beginners. If you have an advanced coding student, you can upgrade to scripted coding. This feature is meant to allow students to have their characters move. Students can select a drop down box and choose the character or object that they want to move, then they can choose how many degrees they want it to move, which direction, and how many times they want that motion to be repeated. Also, if they have a character that they want to talk they choose the character and select what they want it to say.

Google Images

     Virtual Reality: Can use a Google Cardboard (Virtual Reality Goggles) to view the environment created. This is possible because CoSpaces enables creations to be exported, which means it can be accessed on a smartphone.

Google Images

     Augmented Reality: Creations can be projected on to any surface with the CoSpaces mobile app and devices with AR Core. This feature overlaps reality and the 3D environment.

Google Images

     Class Management: Teachers can observe and monitor student progress on the dashboard

Google Images

     This tech tool would be a great to have students incorporate into their projects and presentations. You could have students create an important scene from a book or history. I would recommend this for older students who would be able to work independently and understand the purpose of each feature.