p.e.c.k.

p.e.c.k. is a web-based AR app that connects students across classrooms globally. p.e.c.k. encourages social emotional skills and empathy for individuals from different backgrounds.

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Link to 8th Wall Project https://www.8thwall.com/pozlong/realitysloths

*note: Please Use Bird Image Targets in the slides above to trigger the demo *

Created By

Divya Srinivasan I'm a designer with a background in Materials Science, currently a student of MDes at UC Berkeley.

Esen Ka
Creative technologist and researcher in VR and Clinical Psychology based in Barcelona.

Poz Long Creative Technologist with background in film & TV production. LGBTQ parent. Coffee snob.

Fabian Jiménéz
I'm a XR designer & PM seeking a way to merge my VFX background, VR/MR enthusiast, parent, gamer at heart

Indira Ardolic I'm a New Media Artist that creates audio visual art using Unreal Engine. I focus on surrealism and dreamscapes.

Inspiration

In a globalized world, misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about different cultures can lead to stereotypes, prejudices, and social divisions. We wanted to come up with a project where students from 5th to 7th grade can connect with their peers from different countries, creating deep and meaningful friendships. AR adds a new dimensionality to sharing their favorite foods.

Research demonstrates students with pen pals develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding of the world around them.

Hackathon Theme

Future Constructors

What it does

p.e.c.k. is a web-based AR app that connects students across classrooms globally. It is intended for use in educational settings for 5th to 7th graders. p.e.c.k. encourages social emotional skills and empathy for individuals from different backgrounds. Students will share audio messages and a 3D model generated based on a cultural theme provided by a teacher. Their pen pal, or peck pal, will be able to access their messages after it has been approved by the teacher. This will act as a seed of knowledge and understanding. p.e.c.k. brings a new dimensionality that allows students to interface with 3D models representing cultural experiences, providing detailed spatial and visual context otherwise lost in a regular letter. p.e.c.k. also provides connection through voice messages in a safe and moderated environment.

Imagine being able to hear the emotion in another’s voice as they speak on their favorite memory, or the pain you might share as they speak on a time they felt wronged. Voice is an incredibly unique identifier that is often specific to the individual. It carries immense weight, context, and personal connection to hear another person speak as opposed to reading their message.

How we built it

We used quite a variety of tools to develop the application and to generate the assets. We’ve used 8thWall’s image target framework to and set the birds as targets for students to interact with. We’ve used Meshy.ai to generate the 3D models from photos, Bezi for prototyping the interaction which will take place, ensuring that children can have a smooth experience without prior knowledge and complicated setup.

Challenges we ran into

As we wanted to go with the WebXR due to its easy use and accessibility, we soon realized that the direct integration of Meshy.ai won’t be possible. We’ve investigated various different options to host the 3D models online, but we did not have enough time to properly implement it.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud to make an accessible and fun application that reimagines social connection and intercultural communication among the younger generation. As social media use grows among children it is important to have deep individual connections, to ensure mental health and social skills among children.

What we’ve learned

Making the app accessible requires serious considerations for the age group, the socio-economic state and various other factors. Like any intervention, the application has to go through various pedagogical design thinking steps.

What's next for p.e.c.k.

Once p.e.c.k. finishes its first round of peck pals, the application can be disseminated through a wider student group. It can be incorporated to the curriculum in various countries and the content type can be adapted to different age groups.

Values

  1. Accessibility
  2. Empathy
  3. Discovery
  4. Equality

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