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Good practice: Bringing Stories to Life: Augmented Reality in Youth Work
Good practice: Bringing Stories to Life: Augmented Reality in Youth Work
Content
This best practice example invites youth workers to explore how Augmented Reality (AR) can be used to create engaging and interactive experiences for young people, enhancing storytelling and learning.
Through hands-on exploration and creative design, participants will learn how to use AR to add digital layers to the real world, transforming static images and objects into dynamic learning tools.
By completing this activity, you will:
- Understand the potential of AR for storytelling and interactive learning in youth work.
- Learn how to design and implement AR experiences using readily available tools.
- Identify how AR can be used to enhance engagement and participation in youth work settings.
Get Inspired
Augmented Reality (AR) offers a unique way to bridge the digital and physical worlds, adding layers of information and interaction to everyday objects. As demonstrated by the work of Life on Marzj, AR can transform artworks, photos, and even clothing into dynamic experiences that capture attention and spark curiosity.
Explore This Example
Life on Marzj, created by Dutch AR artist Maartje Simons, showcases the creative potential of AR by integrating animations and music into artworks and products.
This approach demonstrates how AR can be used to tell stories, enhance learning, and create memorable experiences for audiences.
The core idea is to use AR to add layers of information and interactivity to the real world, making learning more engaging and accessible. This approach can be applied in various youth work contexts, from educational workshops to community projects.
How can you use Augmented Reality (AR) in Youth Work?
Digital Storytelling for Community Engagement:
- Use AR to create interactive narratives that explore local community history, cultural heritage, or social issues.
- Example: Young people create AR experiences that overlay historical photographs onto present-day locations, telling the story of their neighborhood's evolution.
AR for Social Inclusion and Accessibility:
- Develop AR applications that provide audio descriptions or visual aids for individuals with disabilities, making cultural events or public spaces more accessible.
- Example: An AR app that translates museum exhibits into sign language or provides audio commentary for visually impaired visitors.
AR for Youth-Led Advocacy Campaigns:
- Empower young people to use AR to create interactive campaigns that raise awareness about social issues they care about, such as environmental protection or youth rights.
- Example: Young people create AR posters that, when scanned, display videos or animations highlighting the impact of climate change on their local area.
AR for Skill Development and Career Exploration:
- Use AR to create virtual job shadowing experiences or interactive simulations that introduce young people to different career paths.
- Example: An AR application that allows young people to explore the work of a local artist or engineer by overlaying digital information and interactive elements onto real-world workspaces.
AR for Cultural Expression and Identity:
- Use AR to allow young people to express their cultural identidy.
- Example: An AR application that allows youth to create digital layers to traditional clothing, or art, that explains the cultural meaning behind them.
AR for Youth-Led Tours:
- Allow youth to create AR tours of their local area, that highlight places that are important to them.
- Example: youth create an AR tour of their favorite places, and add stories, and information to these places.
AR for collaborative art projects:
- Allow youth to collaborate in AR art projects.
- Example: youth create an AR mural that can be viewed on a wall, and that changes when different users add to it.
With AR, you can create immersive and engaging experiences that capture the attention of young people and make learning more interactive.
Claim Open Badge for Recognition
Upon successful completion of the activity, you can claim the digital badge recognizing your increased knowledge on how to:
- Use AR to create interactive storytelling and learning experiences.
- Design and implement AR projects in youth work settings.
- Enhance youth engagement and participation through AR.
Who created this resource?
This approach to using Augmented Reality (AR) in youth work is inspired by the creative work of Life on Marzj and adapted by the Dutch Cities of Learning Network.
Who is behind this activity and badge?
Dutch Cities of Learning Network and Life on Marzj developed this activity and badge to support digital youth work and creative learning.
Next steps:
Try this approach in your own youth work setting. Start by experimenting with simple AR apps and tools. Explore how AR can be used to enhance your existing activities and projects. Then, explore more resources on digital storytelling and interactive learning at https://www.digitalyouthwork.net/.
Resources
Get activity badge
Augmented recognitioner Get this badge
This badge recognizes youth workers and managers who explore and reflect on the use of Augmented Reality (AR) as a tool for creating interactive and engaging learning experiences in youth work settings. The badge demonstrates your understanding of how AR can enhance storytelling, creativity, and participation among young people.
By earning this badge, you show that you are curious in using AR not only for its novelty, but for meaningful dialogue, skill development, and youth empowerment.
Dutch Cities of Learning Network and Life on Marzj value badge earners’ efforts and contributions and issue this badge after reviewing the provided evidence.
Tasks
Task no.1
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
Reflect on your current or future youth work activities and share a short text (or audio) addressing these questions:
- Where and how could you use Augmented Reality (AR) to engage young people in a learning process?
Think about the specific themes (e.g., local history, cultural expression, environmental awareness), the format (e.g., interactive exhibitions, AR scavenger hunts, digital storytelling), and the role you would take as a facilitator in creating an immersive and engaging experience.
Organisers
Digital Youth Work Resource Hub
Awero not-for-profit organisation manages this platform and develops it together with leading educational organisations. The European Union's programme Erasmus+ granted co-funding for building the first version of this platform. Contact support@awero.org.
Platform
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