How to Use Augmented Reality (AR) as a Teacher

Augmented reality is the most underused tool in my classroom

Augmented reality sounds futuristic and expensive, but the best classroom uses are simple, cheap, and genuinely magic for kids. AR drops 3D objects and places into the room through a tablet or phone screen, and the engagement is instant. Here are the tools and ideas I keep coming back to.

Merge EDU and the Merge Cube

The Merge Cube is fantastic. Kids hold a small foam cube, point a device at it, and suddenly they are turning a beating heart, a volcano, or the solar system over in their hands. Merge EDU has objects across a huge range of topics, and children love being able to explore them from every angle. Visit the official Merge Cube website to learn more, or download the free printable Merge Cube PDF to make a paper version for your classroom.

360-degree virtual travel

A virtual field trip costs nothing and goes anywhere. With 360-degree experiences, students can walk through ancient ruins like Machu Picchu or the pyramids without leaving the classroom. It is the closest most classes will get to standing inside the places they are studying.

The camera measuring tool

Use your device's AR measuring feature to teach measurement. Let students point the camera and measure real objects around the room, then ask them to estimate first and check afterwards. The "guess, then measure" loop makes a dry topic genuinely playful.

Start small

You do not need a class set of headsets to begin. One tablet, a Merge Cube, and a free 360 app are enough to test whether AR clicks with your students — and in my experience, it does.