Audrey Goodwin Pedagogical Plan: Exploring Fort York with AR, an Immersive Experience to Connect the Past to the Present
Exploring Fort York with AR, an Immersive Experience to Connect the Past to the Present
Target Audience: Families
Group Size: 10-15
Activity Duration: 30 mins
Location: On-Site at Fort York
Activity Overview:
In exploring how augmented reality (AR) can foster engagement with history, I have created a concept for a guided experience at Fort York. Led by a facilitator equipped with AR technology, the 30-minute session invites families with children to step into a world where the past overlays the present. Rather than providing direct answers, the AR visuals and soundscapes act as conversation starters, encouraging participants to reflect on life at Fort York centuries ago and discuss how it relates to their lives today.
This interactive experience is not about recreating history with pinpoint accuracy but about evoking its essence through imaginative visuals and thought-provoking storytelling. The facilitator will use AR through an app, a large monitor on a rolling cart to display the viewing, and a speaker connected to the app to provide immersive soundscapes. This augmented reality will play out in real-time, overlaid onto the areas right in front of the participating visitors. This screening will depict the use of artifacts, historical scenes, and immersive images on the physical site. These recreations are intentionally designed to feel slightly fragmented, symbolizing the way we piece together history through the lens of our present understanding.
I have designed three AR scenes depicting a variety of moments at Fort York. The facilitator will guide the group to each site and explain each scene. The captivating visuals and storytelling will capture the attention of both the younger viewers and adults alike. Below, see two mock-ups created to mimic what the AR technology would provide to the session. I have created these images in Photoshop to further help illustrate the concept of the pedagogical plan.
Canadian Soldiers Operating a Cannon:
This will take place at one of the cannons outside at the walls of Fort York. Complete with metallic clanking, the booming sound of the cannon firing, and the vivid motion of soldiers operating the cannon historically accurately, this moment will invite participants to consider the experiences of soldiers at Fort York. Families can discuss how these historical conflicts shaped the lives of individuals and the landscape of Canada.
Old Fireplace Being Lit:
This will take place indoors in a room with an old fireplace. The sounds of crackling, burning wood will be played and the bright glow of fire will cast a light onto the dark room. Through guided discussion, participants will be encouraged to imagine how families in the past might have gathered around the fire and to consider how their own experiences of family and home compare.
Bustling Mess Hall Kitchen:
This will take place at the mess hall kitchen setup. AR cooks will be preparing meals surrounded by clattering pots, the hiss of steam, and the hum of conversation. This moment will reveal the vital role of food and shared spaces in maintaining morale and community among the soldiers at Fort York. Families can reflect on how food connects people across time, drawing parallels between the mess hall of the past and their kitchens today.
Learning Outcomes:
Historical Connection: Participants will develop an understanding of historical events at Fort York by engaging with immersive AR scenes.
Critical Thinking: Through guided discussions, families will be encouraged to consider how these historical moments shaped life at the fort and connect them to their own experiences.
Engagement with Sound and Atmosphere: Learners will explore the role of sound in history, recognizing how auditory elements can create immersion, deepening their experience of the past.
Conclusion:
This AR-guided experience transforms Fort York into a dynamic and immersive space where history comes alive. These scenes are not about recreating history with absolute precision but about inviting visitors to explore and learn about the past through their own perspectives and discussion. Through vivid soundscapes, layered visuals, and thoughtful discussion, families are invited to actively engage with the past. Rather than simply observing history, participants connect it to their own lives, reimagining Fort York as a living story woven into the present.
Take-Home Resource:
Please enjoy the below at-home activity that can be enjoyed by your family to further cement what was learnt through your immersive AR session at Fort York.
Activity: Sounds of the Past
Overview: Remember the accompanying sounds that you heard during each AR viewing? The metal clank of the cannon, the crackling of the fireplace and the sounds from the mess hall? Let’s explore the role of sound in creating these historical atmospheres!
Materials Needed:
Smartphone or tablet with a voice recorder
Pots, pans, wooden spoons, and other household items
Instructions:
Revisit the Scenes: Recall the sounds from the cannon scene, fireplace scene, and mess hall scene. Discuss how these sounds helped bring the past to life. How do you think life at Fort York compares to your life today? What parts of the session stuck with you the most?
Create Your Soundscapes: Use household items to recreate sounds from the visit.
For example:
Cannon: Bang pots together or use other items to create deep, metallic sounds.
Fireplace: Crumple paper to mimic crackling flames.
Mess Hall: Clatter pots and pans or hum to simulate conversation.
Get creative! Imagine other scenarios from life at Fort York and create a soundscape for that atmosphere.
Record and Share: Record your soundscapes and use them to tell a story about life at Fort York. Discuss: what does each sound represent? How do they make us feel?
We hope that this activity can help your family continue exploring the fascinating history of Fort York!