Augmented Reality (AR) has really emerged as a fascinating and productive piece of technological advancement recently. It refers to an interactive experience where the real-world environment is enhanced by some extra, simulated elements. It differs from VR, as it incorporates the real world, while VR is a complete immersion in a simulated world.
While most people associate AR with gaming, it actually has a large variety of uses across numerous sectors. It is also easy to access, as anyone can use it with even mobile internet, such as Spectrum mobile plans. All you need is a smartphone or device which supports the AR software you want to run.
The biggest example of AR in recent times was the Pokémon Go craze a few years ago. Now, imagine replacing the Pokémon with simulated wildlife, and you have yourself a great way to teach people about ecology. AR technology has numerous applications in education and can make learning fun for everyone. It can especially be useful for online classroom environments so that students can feel more involved with what they are learning. AR technology is the next big thing in education and can be used in the following ways, among many others.
Increased Interactivity
One of the best things about AR technology is that it makes learning more interactive. Students can interact with various objects they see on their screens and click on them for more details. In addition, younger children can enjoy learning with a virtual mascot guiding them through their various concepts.
Think The Magic School Bus, but with AR. Children tend to learn and retain concepts in a much more efficient way if there is some level of interaction.
Experiment Simulations
Often, you can’t perform and showcase experiments for all the concepts you are teaching or learning. This is where AR technology can come in. Students can simulate chemistry, physics, and other experiments in a safe environment in their own home or classroom. There will be no liability or injury involved.
Furthermore, as students will simulate the experiment, they will learn the concept in a much more captivating manner.
Virtual Tours
The covid-19 pandemic basically put an end to school field trips and museum visits for a long time. Furthermore, not everyone can travel distances to visit such places. With AR, students can go on guided tours of museums and other important places, so that they retain interest.
Many museums all over the world are offering virtual tours, often for free. Teachers can take their students on these virtual tours, even if they are in a completely different country. This is an excellent way to learn about history and art, so is a good use of AR technology in education.
Different Perspectives
When students are learning about subjects like geometry and geography, 2D illustrations may not seem that exciting. Having them view 3D AR models in their own homes can make the whole thing much more exciting.
In this way, they can view these models from every angle and really get every perspective. This amplifies learning and helps students get a better grip on things.
Promote Creativity
Another way AR promotes education is by encouraging creativity. There are numerous AR software and games out there, which let users create their own models within their environment. Teachers can gamify their classes by encouraging students to use these apps, and exercise their creativity.
Furthermore, this is quite helpful for teaching spatial skills to younger children. If they can figure out how to make something ambitious fit into their real-world environment, they will develop these skills faster.
Easier Testing
With all the technological progress going on, simple multiple-choice quizzes and conventional forms of testing just won’t do anymore. Now, tests need to evaluate every skill a student has, not just their textual concepts. With AR technology, students can be challenged to exercise their visual, textual, and spatial skills at the same time.
Also, this technology doesn’t make testing arduous either. It makes it an interactive experience that can be applicable to real-life scenarios. For example, pilots and racecar drivers are increasingly using AR technology to learn new flying or driving skills and get some practice in.
In a nutshell, AR technology is a boon for modern education. It makes the whole experience more interactive, enjoyable, and more applicable for real life.