AR in the classroom, step by step: a 3D model on every desk
6 min read
Augmented reality places the 3D model in the camera view, on the desk or the floor. In the browser, without apps, it works on most recent phones. Here is how to organise the lesson so it does not get lost in technical issues.
Before the lesson (10 minutes)
- 1Choose one or two models for the lesson, scanned or generated.
- 2Add them to a collection and open the collection page.
- 3Test on your own phone: open the link, tap the AR button, place the model on a table.
- 4Prepare the QR code: projector mode shows it full screen.
Which phones work
On Android, AR uses Google Play Services for AR (ARCore), available on most phones from recent years. On iPhone and iPad it uses the built-in Quick Look. On phones without AR support the model is still shown in 3D and can be rotated.
During the lesson
- 1Project the QR code; students scan it with the camera.
- 2Work in pairs: one holds the phone, the other takes notes.
- 3Give a task that requires moving around the model: find three details you cannot see from the front.
- 4At the end, two or three groups show their findings on the projector.
AR needs a flat surface with some texture (a desk, the floor). A glossy white table is hard to detect.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to install an app?
- No. Everything runs in the browser; Android and iPhone use AR components already built into the system.
- Can we use tablets?
- Yes, Android tablets with ARCore support and iPads work the same way.
- Does the model appear at real size?
- Scanned models keep their proportions; size can be adjusted with two fingers in AR.