Merge cubes are 3-dimensional foam cubes that act like holograms when viewed using a smartphone. There are various apps that can be downloaded to access the many features of Merge cubes. A few of these include: Galactic Explorer, Mr. Body, Merge Things, Moment AR, Cube Paint AR, and Anatomy AR+. Additionally, the app CoSpaces Edu allows educators to create their own Merge cube holograms, and to use holograms other educators have shared. There is a vast amount of content that is available for free, and even more that is available at a relatively low cost. Students can view the cube through a personal device, moving the cube in all directions to view the scene from different angles. Additionally, it is possible to use the touch screen to click on different areas of the hologram, since many of the apps are highly interactive.
The Merge cube is best incorporated into Domain 3 of the Danielson Framework, which focuses on instruction. Teachers can increase student engagement by giving students the opportunity to explore digital holograms of the human body, the galaxy, and the world (3c). Using this tool can be a way to communicate and be responsive to student interests, since many students are fascinated by the idea of virtual reality, video games, and learning through visual representations with interactive elements (3a, 3b). The Merge cube can also be used for presenting questions to students - for example, by creating step by step math problems (3b, 3d).
In my future classroom, I could teach my students to create spaces for the Merge Cube using Cospaces Edu. These would be inspired by the settings of the stories we read, and I would require students to include details directly from the text , while allowing them some artistic freedom. Then, I would have them describe the process and quote directly from the story in a written component of the project. Additionally, I like the idea of using the Merge cube in its stand as a fireplace so that students can sit around the fire while we read or discuss readings together. I might also have the class work in groups to create a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story using the Merge cube. Options for which path to take in the story could be indicated by turning the Merge cube. I think that this project would work especially well, since it could prevent disputes when students are collaborating on a writing project. If students disagreed on how the story should proceed, the point where the disagreement occurred would be the perfect place to branch off into multiple threads and give the reader of the story optional actions.
References:
Merge. About. Retrieved from https://mergevr.com/about
The Danielson Group. The Framework. Retrieved from http://www.danielsongroup.org/framework/
The Merge cube is best incorporated into Domain 3 of the Danielson Framework, which focuses on instruction. Teachers can increase student engagement by giving students the opportunity to explore digital holograms of the human body, the galaxy, and the world (3c). Using this tool can be a way to communicate and be responsive to student interests, since many students are fascinated by the idea of virtual reality, video games, and learning through visual representations with interactive elements (3a, 3b). The Merge cube can also be used for presenting questions to students - for example, by creating step by step math problems (3b, 3d).
In my future classroom, I could teach my students to create spaces for the Merge Cube using Cospaces Edu. These would be inspired by the settings of the stories we read, and I would require students to include details directly from the text , while allowing them some artistic freedom. Then, I would have them describe the process and quote directly from the story in a written component of the project. Additionally, I like the idea of using the Merge cube in its stand as a fireplace so that students can sit around the fire while we read or discuss readings together. I might also have the class work in groups to create a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story using the Merge cube. Options for which path to take in the story could be indicated by turning the Merge cube. I think that this project would work especially well, since it could prevent disputes when students are collaborating on a writing project. If students disagreed on how the story should proceed, the point where the disagreement occurred would be the perfect place to branch off into multiple threads and give the reader of the story optional actions.
References:
Merge. About. Retrieved from https://mergevr.com/about
The Danielson Group. The Framework. Retrieved from http://www.danielsongroup.org/framework/