CocoCast App in the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ

It's that time of year again, and I love sharing new immersive resources for your classroom in this ARVRinEDU Advent Calendar. Each day will cover new tools, updates, and ideas for your students to explore immersive learning.

I’ve had a chance to explore the new CocoCast app, which uses photogrammetry to scan real-world items and convert them into 3D digital objects. The CocoCast app can be accessed for free on the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ site, just like all the other applications available on the platform. This app is designed to easily create 3D content for educators and students and interact with educational content using audio recordings.

Benefits of Photogrammetry Scanning for Classrooms

Photogrammetry scanning technology offers many benefits for classrooms, enabling the creation of immersive and interactive learning assets. With CocoCast, educators can allow students to scan objects in their space and add their own voice to describe the 3D object. This app takes the concept of “show and tell” to the next level. Photogrammetry technology enhances spatial environments and encourages creativity, making learning more engaging and personal.

Directions to Get Started

For Educators:

1. Scan the QR code on the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ page to access the app.

2. Download the CocoCast app from the App Store to install on an iPad.

3. Sign in with your Apple ID, then enter the educator code provided by the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ platform.

4. Make sure to complete the tutorial steps when you first open the app.

5. Begin interacting with museum assets or create your own 3D content by selecting the + button.

6. Capture at least 40 images to allow the 3D object to form.

7. Add audio to the object after it’s been added to the library.

8. View the object in augmented reality and listen to the recorded audio.

Note: An Apple ID is required for both educators and students to sign in. The app uses third-party photogrammetry technology for scanning, but does not store personal information.

Ideas to Implement in the Classroom

• Virtual Field Trips: Use CocoCast to take students on virtual tours of museums, allowing them to interact with 3D models of artifacts and historical sites.

• Creative Projects: Encourage students to create their own 3D models of objects related to their studies.

• Collaborative Learning: Assign group projects that allow students to collaborate on creating and presenting 3D assets, promoting teamwork and communication skills.

• Interactive Storytelling: Have students use the app to craft narratives around historical artifacts or scientific specimens, integrating storytelling with learning.

By incorporating CocoCast into your classroom, you gain access to 3D creation, an essential tool for our students as they transition into increasingly immersive experiences in life.