Osmo Review & How to Setup Your Osmo via Airplay on Zoom & Google Meet for Remote Learning

by Liliana Diaz August 18, 2020 3 Comments

Word on the street is that Osmo is the latest must-have gadget for every SLP and teacher participating remote/distance learning. So, what’s all the hype about? Is the Osmo Little Genius Kit worth the bucks? Well, here is my honest review about the Osmo as well as a “How-to” setup guide for air playing the Osmo on the Zoom and Google Meet Platform.

Like most people, I originally saw the Osmo being used on social media. Osmo is a set of e-learning games for children that include tactile exploration with innovative technology that can be played on a tablet. Depending on the kit that you purchase, Osmo comes with several toy pieces that are paired with the e-learning games that you can download on the tablet. You can learn more about Osmo and the e-games here.

The Osmo appeared to be such a cool and functional tool that can easily be used during remote learning. I had to find out what all the hype was for myself, so I ended up buying the Osmo – little Genius Start Kit for iPad for $79.99 on Amazon. There are several game kits that differ in price and can be purchased on the Osmo website or on Amazon. Each kit contains different toy pieces that pair with an e-learning Osmo game application. The starter kit contains the tablet base, Osmo camera, and an Osmo play mat which are the essential gadgets that you will need to get started. The tablet is not included in the kits, you will need to utilize your own iPad or fire tablet.

Upon arrival, I immediately opened the box and as advertised, the starter gadgets were included in the box as well as the tangible toy items included in the kit. Setup instructions were included in the box as well and the setup was fairly easy to follow. During the setup, I created an account and downloaded the Osmo Parent App by scanning the QR code that was on the box. Here is what the instructions and computer set up looks like. 

Although the Osmo was originally created as a e-learning gadget on iPads for children, I purchased the Osmo as a tool that I can use to airplay books during teletherapy onto my computer, kind of like a document camera. Instructions on air playing the Osmo onto your computer were not included on the box, therefore, I needed to google how to do this. Here is a step-by-step explanation on how to do when using Zoom and Google Meet.

Here are some crucial steps that you will need to check and complete prior to air playing your tablet on any platform.

First, you will need to download the free Osmo Projector application on your tablet. This will allow your tablet to view the items that are directly in front of it and project it onto your computer.

 Secondly, ensure that your iPad and computer are connected to the same wifi network.

If you do not have the latest updated version of the iPad or if you have an iPad and a PC computer, you will need to connect your iPad via a Type C hub port directly into your computer. You can purchase one on Amazon. This is the one that I have.

If you are going to use the Google Meet platform during teletherapy or remote teaching, ensure that you have QuickTime Player downloaded onto your computer prior to air playing.

 Air Playing Your Osmo on the Zoom Platform.

1. Open the Zoom application on your computer.
2. Start the meeting and make sure your computer audio and camera on.
3. On your Zoom window, select “Share Screen”
4. Then select "iPhone/iPad via Airplay" on your Zoom window.
5. On your tablet, go to your control panel. On most iPads you can do this by dragging your finger on the top right corner of your tablet.
6. Select “Screen Mirroring” on your tablet
7. You should be able to see your Zoom session as one of the options on the menu. Might look something like this --> Example: “Zoom- Liliana’s Macbook”
8. Select the your Zoom session on the tablet
9. You should now be able to see your iPad on your computer screen
10. Now click on the Osmo Projector app on your tablet
11. Click “start” in the Osmo projector app
12. You should now be able to see the book or items that you are projecting.

 Air Playing Your Osmo on the Google Meet Platform.

1. Ensure that your tablet and computer are connected via the Type C hub port
2. Open the Google Meet application on your computer.
3. Start the meeting and make sure to join the meeting with your computer audio and camera on. You might need to click “Allow access” when prompted.
4. Go to your QuickTime player application on your computer.
5. Click on “File”
6. Click on “New Movie Recording”
7. You should be able to see yourself on your computer.
8. Click on the drop down arrow that is located to the right of the red record button. (It's a tiny arrow)
9. You should be able to see the name of your iPad on the drop down menu. Example: Liliana’s iPad
10. Click on your iPad.
11. Go to the Osmo Projector application on the tablet and click “start”
12. You should now be able to see the book or items that you are projecting.
13. Go back to your Google Meet window on your computer.
14. Click on “Present now”
15. Click on “Entire Screen”
16. Your student should be able to see your entire screen including your tablet being air played.

 

Upon using Osmo on Zoom and Google Meet, I was immediately astonished to see how easily I can air play my therapy books and items onto my tablet. I really like how the image is not flipped and my students can easily see the book or item I am demonstrating on the screen. In addition, some of the e-learning games that come included with the Osmo are great for language therapy and can be used to target a variety of speech/language therapy goals! I definitely would recommend purchasing the Osmo if you are a SLP or teacher and will be participating in remote learning this school year. For me, the $79 was well worth the investment and I will for sure be using the Osmo during all of my teletherapy sessions.

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