Atlanta Kindergarten Tries Augmented Reality for Reading, Math

An Atlanta school has adopted augmented reality in its kindergarten classes. Birney Elementary will be teaching with a reading and math curriculum from Alive Studios that uses cards with letters and numbers that "come to life" in 3D form on a computer screen when placed in a particular position on a board.

Augmented reality takes real life — in this case, the cards — and augments it. The reading portion of the program, "Learning alive," for example, uses 26 animated 3D animals, each representing a letter of the alphabet, to teach to Common Core learning standards. The kit, which comes in multiple configurations with or without hardware, includes curriculum for a full school year.

"The kids love, love, love all the features — and so do the teachers!" said kindergarten teacher Christy Hackney in a press release. "Teaching sight words with this program is super easy, and the kids don't even realize how much they're learning!"

Other schools that have worked with the Alive Studios products include J.E. Moss Elementary School in Antioch, TN; Lorena Falasco Elementary School in Los Banos, CA; and Audubon Park Elementary School in Orange County, FL.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • split-screen digital illustration of two AI-influenced classrooms

    What AI Gets Right and How It Will Be Used in the Year Ahead

    AI has tremendous potential to do good in education while honoring and upholding the essential role of teachers. However, its success will depend on how we choose to use it.

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Updates to Experience, DreamBox Math

    K-12 learning solution provider Discovery Education has announced enhancements to its Discovery Education Experience and DreamBox Math products, designed to create a more personalized, engaging learning experience for students.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • A geometric pattern of open Chromebook computers with bold outlines, subtle shading, and soft gradients, spaced evenly with vibrant green and blue accents on a neutral background.

    Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for the 'Great Chromebook Refresh'

    During the pandemic, the education community scrambled to provide students with laptops to promote online learning equity and mitigate learning loss. Today, those devices are approaching the end of their useful lives — and a "great Chromebook refresh" has been predicted as schools seek to replace them with newer models.