This is the first entry focusing on how Lens Studio can be an exciting way to get learners interested in computer science – even those who have historically expressed no interest in the field. In true instructor fashion, we start with learning objectives for this article.
Objectives
1) Identify what is Lens Studio.
2) Describe how it can benefit the classroom.
3) List the tools to get started and price.
What is Lens Studio?
Lens Studio is a free augmented reality (AR) tool that is used to create Snapchat filters. It has a variety of resources that allow beginning to advanced lens developers to design, develop and test AR experiences that can then be published on the Snapchat platform. It provides an array of tools that include 3D assets and Lens templates that can be customized to personal design preferences. Lens Studio also supports importing your own 3D designs from sources such as Blender to create a completely unique AR experience to share.
There is great community support for Lens developers as well. Support is available from both Snap’s AR team and the developer community. After creating your filter on Lens Studio, you can publish your filter to the world and share your creation with your family and friends.
Why Should I Bring Lens Studio Into My Classroom?
This is a great question. I was a higher ed educator for eight years and I know what it is like to have to balance curriculum requirements, grades, advising, and other tasks when resources and time are in short supply. Teaching technology-based classes has the extra requirement of staying on top of what is in-demand, keeping the students engaged, and inspiring them to continue to try when things get difficult.
So why Lens Studio? Because of Snapchat. Let’s review some statistics about Snapchat.
- 55.6% of Snapchat users are female
- 20.5% of Snapchat users are between 13 and 17 years old
- 180 million Snapchatters used augmented reality features daily in 2020
Two of the statistics I want to focus on are demographics – predominantly female users and the 13 – 17 age group.
One of the topics that came up when I co-presented at the OETC recently was the lack of interest by females in technological skills. This has a direct correlation with the number of females that will be entering the workforce in tech careers. With the female population already being a primary user for the Snapchat platform, this can be the draw to help them create a custom filter that they can use and share with others around the world.
The other focus is the age group. High school students can be a tough crowd. I recall when doing recruiting events, more than once a high school student saw my sign for “Computer Science” and quickly went the other direction. The feedback from most of them was that “it is too hard” or “it’s too boring”. Incorporating Lens Studio into the classroom and explaining to the students they will be creating their own custom filter using Lens Studio’s easy to use platform (no coding required), you can expose them to a world that they have a fear of or have misconceptions about.
Lens Studio provides tools and templates that support first time creators who have zero experience (or interest) in learning about computer science. The creation of a filter is not just for those interested in programming, this is also a platform and outlet for students who are interested in art (2D or 3D), and marketing.
What Tools are Needed and How Much?
When presenting this topic at the FETC in January, this was one of the first questions I received. I smiled because the answer is really simple. All you need is a Mac or PC that meets specification per Lens Studio and it is 100% free to use, to create, and to share. There are no limits on what you can create and the analytics provided (we’ll cover more on that in future lessons) can provide motivation for continued learning and improvement – which can lead to increased interest in computer science (but we don’t have to tell them that yet).
Tasha Penwell is a digital marketing specialist and educator. She provides services in web development, social media marketing, customized Snapchat filters, and content writing.
She lives in Ohio with her husband and enjoys photography, exploring new technologies and is an active presenter for conferences and workshops.