Monday, March 5, 2018

What's the Buzz about Merge Cube?





I recently bought a classroom set of Merge Cubes because I heard Walmart had them on clearance for $1.00.  I noticed many people in my PLN were grabbing them, so I wanted to see what the buzz was about this object.

What is Merge Cube?  

Merge Cube is a holographic object that you can hold in your hand which allows users to have a Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality experience.  


Requirements:  

  • a mobile device
  • download the Merge Cube apps to the device
    • The apps are available at the Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices.  Most of the apps are free, but others are not.   
  • Goggles are optional.  If you use the apps in VR mode, you will need a set of goggles.  However, if you use the app in AR mode, then you do not need the goggles.

Apps:  You can search the Google Play Store, or the App Store for apps on this product.   Note, many apps are free and some charge a fee that range from $.99 - $8.99.

My Experience:  I downloaded three free educational apps the Galactic Explorer, the Merge My Aquarium , and the Mr. Body for Merge Cube.  All of the apps were interactive, engaging, fun and easy to use.  

Note, you may need to create an account to use an activation code that came with the Merge Cube. This may  unlock features of the app.  However, I found this to be inconsistent and unnecessary with other apps, but you can certainly try it anyway.   

Classroom Integration:




The Merge My Aquarium app can be used to create ecosystems in science class.  This would allow students to choose different fish and floors to use in their aquarium.  The app has a list of fish in alphabetically order and the student can add as many fish to their aquarium as needed. However, there are no fast facts about this fish.  It is just to build an ecosystem or to build an ecosystem with predators and/or friendly fish.  You can even create a food web chain.

This app offered a quick tutorial at the beginning to help you get started.   It also had a small dot which was the aiming point to select an object.  The small dot is called 'the eye'.  I found this tutorial to be very helpful.




The Galactic Explorer app allows students to hold the Milky Way galaxy in their hands.  It allows students to explore the planets while providing fast facts about them.  It gives them a close up view of the planets, moons, asteroid belt and much more.



I found this app to be valuable and informative. It offered a 30 second record option which will allow students to record their screens while they where exploring.  The video can be uploading to Google Drive and shared as a link in Google Classroom.  A short video is shown. 




The Mr. Body for Merge Cube app allows students to explore the human body in their hands.   It allows students to explore the organs in the body while providing fast facts.  It gives them a close up view of each organ and much more.  This app can be used in Science or Health class to explore the anatomy of the human body.  




I found this app to be valuable and informative. It offered a 30 second record option which will allow students to record their screens while they where exploring.  The video can be uploading to Google Drive and shared as a link in Google Classroom.  A short video is shown. 

This app offered a quick tutorial at the beginning to help you get started.   It also had a small dot which was the aiming point to select an object.  The small dot is called 'the eye'.  I found this tutorial to be very helpful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would highly recommend trying Merge Cube for your class.  It is a great way to introduce or reinforce topics in your lessons.  I found the three apps that I reviewed to be geared more for education.  In order to have student be accountable, I would recommend creating a worksheet or having them record their exploration and sharing it with the teacher.  

Keep in mind there are many other free apps that can be used to help students with fine motor skills,  celebrating student success, or show casing leadership and confidence with their peers in the classroom.  The Merge Cube can be used as a center in your classroom.  

Another reference is from my friend, Michael Fricano II.  He also wrote a review about this product.  To read his blog post, click here