Augmented reality is the latest tool for educators who want to enhance a student’s learning experience. It can better engage students and make the learning process on subjects like STEM more fun and interactive than before.
What is Augmented Reality Technology?
AR is blending of interactive digital elements into a real-world environment. Examples of these elements include haptic feedback and visual overlays.
Just recently, you’ve probably witnessed AR in action with POKEMON GO, a mobile game that lets players see their surroundings while also projecting game items like score and onscreen icons.
How Does Augmented Reality Technology Work?
There are three types of AR technology that also determines its workings. One is location-based AR works by displaying needed information on the geo-location of a device.
Second is the superimposition-based augmented reality that lets users replace the real image adding new elements to the current viewpoint.
Third, there is the projection-based augmented reality wherein the software works by sending light to an object that creates an interactive dashboard but in a real environment.
Augmented Reality Technology in Education
Augmented reality in education is the use of the latest technology in field trips and classrooms, creating a very immersive and different learning opportunity for children.
AR in education is digital information integration with the student’s environment done in real time. It shapes future leaders and prepares them for copingup with the demands of the future.
AR in the classroom introduces a new education approach through an updated methodology and curricula. With this technology, children can acquire new knowledge through experiencing, screen touching and doing.
Incorporating AR in content for teachers in just about any subject like math and chemistry, not only learning but also teaching can be faster, more fun and more efficient.
A few applications include –
- Objects’ modeling
- Scenario for simulation based learning
- Gamification
- Interactive e-books
- Allows learning and discovery
- Skills training
What Are the Advantages of Using Augmented Reality Technology in Education?
AR technology offers benefits in education. For one, it can improve user interaction because it just makes things more interesting. It promotes a learner’s increased involvement because he or she is able to access content using a mobile device.
Students can scan AR content using their mobile to check a computer-generated visual that leads to a concept understanding with a few links to the digital assets, which can supply them with more information.
As a result, AR in education can attract learners to view and access their coursework because of the enriched experience.
In addition, it can promote cost-efficiency because it allows easier and cheaper creation, modification and deployment of content as compared to traditional printing.
With AR, users can just view the content on their device, promoting a “bring your own device” scenario. Using AR, publishers and institutions can improve return on investment.
Also, there is contextual relevance because the course creator can integrate augmented reality in education, allowing him to use technology in creating and deploying the 3D visuals, which are interactive to the touch of the students.
It is contextual relevance that allows teachers to demonstrate how a machine works in real life, leaving learners no room for assumption.
Another advantage of augmented reality in education is better engagement with the content because of the increased appeal AR creates for the learners.
So if educators will be able to deliver content with AR integration in the traditional setups, they can teach better and enhance student learning absorption.
Is Augmented Reality Technology the Future of Education?
Yes, AR technology can be education’s future because it enhances and brings in benefits for learners, educators, institutions and content publishers. It can enrich and make the learning experience more interesting, fun and efficient.
Integrating augmented reality can offer plenty of benefits especially among students like motivating them to learn.
It can also introduce new learning methods and transform classrooms with added interactivity. Nevertheless, it can also support students and make them retain information better.
Augmented reality can change and improve traditional learning methods especially that it can address the issue on human’s falling attention span, which has been becoming an issue over the years.
However, AR alone cannot solve all issues with conventional education methods.
Thus, publishers and schools should be able to identify any disruptors and find ways for a competitive advantage in order to offer a better learning experience to the students/end users.
Nevertheless, the future of augmented reality in education will help in improving a learner’s participation, intellectual curiosity, content engagement, knowledge base and learning interest.
So, is augmented reality the future of education? With more institutions adapting new technologies and publishers integrating AR into digital content, it can be. Moreover, knowing how to work with augmented reality is one of the top skills to learn in the 2020s.
And with further developments, learners can enhance learning through increased interest, engagement and interaction. Finally, they’ll be better equipped for tomorrow.
What do you think about augmented reality in education? Share your thoughts in the comment section.