Umeå school pupils in “treasure hunt” using Google Glass
NEWS
On the 27th of May, 13-year-old Elvira Paulsson and 15-year old Axel Lindwall will be testing Google Glass as part of the research project #tagga2014. The two Umeå students will be trying to solve challenges that at some locations along the Umeå City Hall esplanade. They are likely among the first students in the world to get the chance to try Google Glass in this way.
The project is led by Eva Mårell-Olsson, senior lecturer at Umeå University, who is one of the few residents of Sweden that were selected to beta-test the first version of Google Glass in 2013. These hands-free, smartphone-like glasses can film and project information in the user's field of view to create an augmented reality.
The project aims both to explore how Google Glass can be used as support in learning situations and to enable students at Umeå University to develop tools and pedagogical activities for Google Glass.
Elvira Paulsson (13 yrs old), and Axel Lindwall (15 yrs old) will partake in a walking activity on 27 May. Challenges and problems will sent to the glasses when the students approach a specific area. When successfully solving each challenge, the students will receive clues to the next location where a new challenge or clue will be presented.
“Within the project, we are researching how to use Google Glass in a specific learning situation where the learning process is designed as a kind of treasure hunt or "gamification" says Eva Mårell-Olsson.
The students who developed the technology for the treasure hunt are enrolled in engineering programmes in interaction and design, engineering physics and industrial economics at Umeå University. The students have received help from technical experts and mentors from three local companies that develop IT applications - Algoryx, Dohi Sweden and CGI. Date: Tuesday 27 May Time and place: 15.00: The walk starts at the big 2014 cultural capital heart at the City Hall esplanade (Rådhusesplanaden). 16.00: Press conference with opportunities for interviews with the participants in the City Hall restaurant.
