12 word description of app/product:

Design, make and learn with augmented reality and 3D printing.

Formats: iOS and Android app for tablets and smartphones; website for teacher dashboard

Website:   https://www.3dbear.io/

What does it help with?

Augmented reality and 3D printing help students develop the 4 C’s of 21st-century learning: creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.

In addition to teaching these new basic skills, 3DBear AR helps students develop competence with information and communication technologies. Through the different lessons, students get familiar with emerging technologies like AR and 3D printing. Using digital devices creates many opportunities for students to make their thoughts and ideas visible in unique ways, thus developing their thinking and “learning-to-learn” skills.

What grade and age range?  4–15 (kindergarten-10th grade)

Is this core/supplemental/special needs/extracurricular/professional development or what?

Supplemental

What subject, topic, what standards is it mapped to?

The lessons that come with 3DBear AR feature math, science, social studies, and ELA subjects. However, all of the lesson are interdisciplinary, which means there could be more than two subjects involved in one lesson. Lessons are aligned to Common Core State Standards (Include ELA standards relate to listening, speaking and writing), and Next Generation Science Standards.

What lesson time does it use?

The time to run each lesson varies, but it is based on a 45-minute unit. Most of the lessons include instructions for how to extend or shorten a lesson based on the teacher’s need.

What is the pricing model?

Exact pricing varies depending on the needs of the school. To learn more about the program and its pricing, contact kurt@3dbear.io.

Are there services around it?  Yes, 3DBear AR offers professional development for teachers and workshops for students on augmented reality and 3D printing in education.

What makes it unique?

3DBear AR combines three aspects of education like no other service out there:

  1. Pedagogy;
  2. 3D technologies (augmented reality and 3D printing); and
  3. Play.

A description of the characteristics--how is it designed for user interface, user experience? What instructional design principles are at work here?

3DBear has been co-developed with the best teachers from the best education system in the world: Finland. We’ve been developing the app based on the essence of the Finnish National Curriculum: enhancing pupil participation, increasing the meaningfulness of learning, and enabling every pupil to feel successful in their academic and social-emotional learning. The students set goals, solve problems, and assess their learning based on set targets. The principles that guide the development of Finland’s national educational system emphasize the school as a learning community.

Teacher reviews:

Susan Sclafani, librarian/teacher, Oregon Middle School, Medford, NY

"To keep middle school students focused for three hours is quite impressive. They are not normally like this. A wonderful learning experience for my students. They were so excited and engaged!"

 

Tara Dungate, teacher, Hauppauge Middle School, Hauppauge, NY

 

"It was wonderful; it truly brings the curriculum to life. So much more meaningful for my students. It is much more student-directed than teacher-directed, giving opportunities to discover."