Journalism Next: Bayshore High School

MANATEE -- During the creation of Bayshore High School's Ursa Major yearbook during the 2013-14 school year, the staff decided to embrace the use of a new app called Aurasma.

Aurasma initiated a new way to capture the memories of the school year at Bayshore. The app allows a user to take any picture or object and add a tag to it, which creates the ability to scan the picture and access additional information on whatever the reader is viewing.

Ursa Major staff used this app to add a tag to the font of the 40th year. Students could download the app on their phones, and after the front cover of the book was scanned, it would take you back in time through all Bayshore yearbooks leading up to the edition.

Amanda English, Bayshore's energetic yearbook adviser, had only positive things to say about how the use of Aurasma affected the distribution of the Ursa Major yearbook,

"The use of Aurasma in the yearbook last year seemed to spark an increased interest in the book," English said. "Students and faculty were excited to see their traditional yearbook linked to the technology that has become prevalent. It was an exciting modern twist on an old-time favorite."

The technological advancement in the yearbook increased sales and interest throughout the student body and staff, English said. Many wondered how it worked, how any image could be associated with the entire history of Bay

shore High School just by a simple scan.

"Including the app, Aurasma, as a part of the 2013-14 yearbook really brought it alive," said Brittany Spencer, an Ursa Major staff member. "It was cool to see how the yearbooks have changed over the past 40 years. I would really like to see it used more."

The 2014-15 edition of the Ursa Major will use Aurasma, too, if not more often throughout the book. Imagine seeing a picture of a student and his/her best friend, being able to scan the picture, which takes you to a video of the same two students laughing at lunch or acting silly in the hallway. The app takes yearbook reminiscing to a whole new level.

Aurasma adds a new component to the yearbook, a new way to capture memories, and revamps the entire idea of what a yearbook is about. Memories students made that school year are visible in printed pictures, and may be watched on smartphones and tablets.

Bayshore's yearbook staff said it hopes to see an even more successful use of Aurasma in this year's book, and in the number of students purchasing a copy to be able to experience the exciting history of Bayshore High School.

This story was originally published November 10, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Journalism Next: Bayshore High School."