I wanted to take moment to show you my latest augmented reality target which is an interactive game board called “What’s Your Zone?” After seeing a really cool picture tweeted by Andy Vasliy where he and his students identified various ways different rates zones positively impact the body I was inspired to create this fitness game.
How to play
Scanned Target
Students can play in pairs or larger groups. One student will start by rolling the dice and then scanning the game board target. Once the target is scanned, a 3D brain will appear (left) in the middle of the board and the board game will come to life. The student can then push the game square they land on, which leads them to a specific fitness task. The game squares are split into green, blue and red squares, with each color representing a different heart rate zone. The fitness task for each square is related to the colored heart rate zone of the square. Along with the fitness task is a fact on how the body is impacted by that heart rate zone. Once the student has completed the fitness task, it is the next student’s turn. Students can keep track of where they are on the game board by remembering the number they landed on during their last turn or with game pieces provided by the teacher.
Fitness Task
Below are directions on how to use the Daqri App to access the game board. I realize technology is not accessed at every school so I have also made a hard copy of the game that can be found here and doesn’t require a mobile device. You will also find the AR Board Game in the same link.
Learning outcomes
I created “What’s Your Zone?” to help students meet the following learning outcomes:
- Identify which exercises/physical activities are green zone, blue zone and red zone activities. I use Polar H7 heart rate monitors to accomplish this but students could also take their heart rate manually.
- Determine and understand the physiological benefits of each heart rate zone. For example, the red zone gives you confidence.
- Determine and understand the physiological benefits of every heart rate zone. For example, when a student is in the red zone they are growing neural pathways.
- Increase physical activity outside of school. I will encourage my students to take this game home and play it with their families and friends.
Furthermore, teaching how exercise impacts the brain and body, as well as the mental well-being of human beings, is a huge advocacy point for our profession. I hope this can be a tool to help educate the families of my students.
Below is a quick video demonstration of what it looks like when you scan the board game target. You are able to zoom in on different areas of the target making it easier to touch the individual squares. I decided not to include any audio or video in my target to ensure that it would scan quickly. This is the first version of this game board and I plan to make revisions to this target as I see how it works for my students.
References:
Spark, by Dr. John Ratey
Polar.com
