Let's Talk Osmos

Osmo seems like a simple thing. It is a game changer in the hands of our students when it comes to technology engagement. Who would have thought adding a white plastic base and a red mirrored clip to an iPad would transform the way we use apps. We take apps from being just visual to tactile for hands on learning (disguised as play).

Collaboration
Screen time is often said to be isolating, but Osmo encourages collaboration, communication and working "beyond the screen." Osmo has several apps that foster collaboration. The Words app allows students to challenge a friend as they work on words. Another bonus feature allows teachers to create their own word lists with correlating pictures to match current word study curriculum.

Problem Solving
Osmo Pizza Co. has taken traditional math concepts and made them irresistible. Students are able to run their very own pizza shop! The students are quickly learning entrepreneurship with iPads and pizza. Students are responding to customer requests, accepting money and  calculating change, and learning to invest their profits to upgrade their shop. What better way for students to learn real-world math by adding and subtracting money as well as fraction skills. One other key component of the Pizza Co. app is picking up on nonverbal communication. Students are deciphering how customers like their pizza from facial expressions and body language as they make their pizza.

Creativity
The Osmo monster, Mo brings endless creativity as he magically brings student drawings to life. The Wall Street Journal says, "He's the kind of creature you would see in a Pixar film or on Sesame Street." Children learn through play. Mo brings the child to his set to create a magical journey in which the students design the backdrop and props. Mo "magically" appears to pull the students' drawing onto the screen from a white board.

The Masterpiece app takes the drawing of the student to the next level. Masterpiece allows an artist of any ability feel like a pro! This interactive drawing app lays out the perspective and proportions as into an easy to follow outline. The screen becomes an interactive guide to put the pencil to the paper. With the rise of devices in kids' hands, there is less time spent using writing tools. This app combines the best of both worlds, by combining the innate love of drawing and technology.

STEAM
While all of the Osmo apps incorporate aspects of STEAM education, the coding apps can be building blocks for future endeavors with regards to computer science. Osmo has released three apps promoting coding. Coding Awbie allows students to begin to explore the idea of coding. Coding Jam moves students to creating with code. With their newest release, Coding Duo students are solving with more advanced code.

Play
Using Osmo Newton is an innovative way to promote purposeful play. Students are using tangible objects to guide a moving ball to its target. They are able to collaborate with each other to problem solve and find solutions on how to lead the ball to the target.

Sometimes kids just need to play! One of the newest games by Osmo, Hot Wheels Mindracers, gives kids the opportunity to do just that. They use real Hot Wheels cars at the starting line and move into a digital race to the finish! Students don't even realize they are practicing strategy, quick reflexes, and completing challenges.

Osmo is relevant in any subject area. It brings students together to develop their creative thinking and social intelligence. Why wouldn't you want to bring the 4 C's into your classroom with Osmo!

Jamie Harris & Erin Freestone
School Library Media Specialists