Augmented Reality in Education
Decades ago, you could just get details regarding the human skeleton through video, images or the realistic model of anatomical structures. Nowadays, it is possible to display a realistic 3D representation of the human skull within the classroom. This is only one of the many ways augmented real-time technology has transformed teaching and learning.
In this session, we'll dive deeper into augmented reality and education, and will look at the various examples of practical applications. We'll cover:
- What is the impact of augmented reality for education?
- What are the benefits that come with Augmented Reality in the classroom?
- Application of augmented reality for education
- Augmented Reality vs. virtual reality
- Practical guidance for implementing AR in the classroom
- Augmented reality won't remove the fundamental education experience
- FAQs
What is augmented reality in the area of education?
Augmented Reality in Education (AR) involves bringing digital technology into a classroom in order to assist students understand real-world concepts more clearly. AR does not replace real-world experience; instead, it assists learners and teachers to comprehend elusive or obscure concepts.
Imagine teaching your students about how the sun's system works. Instead of simply speaking about it, buy a holographic projection device. It can show the sun as well as all the planets orbiting around it in 3D in the middle of your classroom. The planets could be made larger or smaller and rotate the planets as well as zooming in for particulars.
This allows learners to see the dimensions and structure that the solar system has in a way that's more thrilling and immersive than standard drawings or diagrams. Instead of simply taking a look at a book or looking at photos or videos, they can participate within the solar system on continuous basis and discover how everything is connected.
What are the benefits from Augmented Reality in the classroom?
We'll look at a few benefits of incorporating Augmented Reality into your educational setting.
It improves accessibility to classrooms.
Consider our Solar System class as an example. This is how you could make use of AR to learn in different ways:
- Visual learners are able to use an AR application that displays models that are scaled down that depicts the solar system inside the classroom. Visual learners are able to see planets orbiting the sun, observe their size relative to one other, and witness things like eclipses as well as planetary rotations.
- Auditory learners: discuss important information about planetsincluding its distinct properties and composition while AR is in use. AR model is in use.
- Reading students provide additional reading materials or digital text overlays in the app such as planet facts or trivia and other historical research.
- Kinesthetic learners: Let the learners interact with the virtual solar system with touch gestures or motion controls. As an example they could "grab" things, rotate them around, and adjust their orbits.
It creates an inclusive education environment, which permits students to learn in their own way and in a manner which best meets their specific preferences. There is no one who is left out no matter how they choose to learn.
It helps students understand difficult concepts.
If you've never seen an onion and someone spent endless hours discussing what it looked like there's a chance that you don't know what the word means. However, the visual representation is easier to understand.
Augmented reality could be more effective. Not only can learners visualize difficult-to-understand concepts, but they can also actively interact with them. In this case you could zoom in on the virtual onion to observe the texture of the onion in great detail. They could "peel off" every layer, so they see the onion's internal structure.
By the end of the course, students should understand what an onion actually is and be able to articulate the concept in the same way as someone who's actually experienced an actual onion.
Augmented reality in the classroom
Once you've got a clear understanding about Augmented Reality and its advantages Let's take a look at actual ways you can incorporate AR into the classroom.
AR in STEM
The HTML0 format has two main AR uses in STEM education: inquiry-based simulation as well as problem-based
A model based on some questions
It involves using AR applications to construct conceptual scenarios and concepts in order they're easy to study and explore. It provides students with hands-on practical knowledge of difficult subjects.
Its GeoGebra Mathematics simulator AR app gives a wonderful example. It allows students to make interactive 3D models of geometric shapes as they solve questions. Students can zoom in on different elements of the model and change its layout according to the formula.
Students can learn about the mathematical concepts in an actual way.
Simulation that is based on the problem
Make use of AR to build real-world situations that need problem-solving- whether as a group or in a self-guided group.
One good model could be AR Circuit. AR Circuit is an interactive game that lets kids connect circuit boards online. Students can play around with various circuits and conductors as well as observe how the changes impact the operation of the electrical circuit.
In light of the factors that drove the idea behind AR Circuit, Harry Banda said AR Circuit was born of the need to bridge the gap between equipment and Zambian schools, particularly for Chemistry and Physics classes.
AR is a part of History and Art
The most significant application for augmented reality in history is immersive learning. Augmented reality can assist in the reliving of historical events in order to make engaging learning more efficient.
One app that does extremely well which is very effective at this Living History, which is mostly used in museums for self-guided tours. The app evokes the spectre of historical characters and recreates the exact events that occurred in the past.
If you're walking around this World War 1 section of the museum. Instead of looking only at the notes and photos it's a journey through the haunting images of soldiers fighting along with the terrain and trenches of the battleground.
The other examples of AR in art and history are:
- Digital graffiti which allows learners to create beautiful graffiti and without causing damage to walls. There are numerous mobile apps to help you with this, such as Vandaleak and Graffiti Go.
- Virtual 3D art production that lets students convert their drawings and paintings into 3D art pieces that they can interact in. Imagine sketching an apartment; they could change it into a realistic housing structure and place it wherever they want using FeelTheArt.
- Host AR art exhibitions in the classroom. Students can utilize Artivive in order to create stunning AR art for no cost.
AR within the realm of medicine
Augmented Reality is utilized for cases-based simulations during medical education. These simulations based on cases are created to provide students with complex scenarios that resemble a real-life circumstance they may face in their professional lives. They are able to apply the skills they have learned in a practical manner and build fundamental competencies to be useful in the real-world.
One excellent example is located in AccuVein, an imaging-based vein visualization technique. It utilizes Augmented Reality to project images of veins and the skin. This aids medical professionals find veins efficiently and with more accuracy.
Students in medical school are able to use the AccuVein system to test their ability to locate veins on a simulated patient. AccuVein provides instant feedback that helps students improve their accuracy and technique.
Augmented reality and. virtual real
Virtual reality and Augmented Reality are often used interchangeably, however, they mean different items. This table is a brief review of how the two technology are competing against each other.
| Augmented Reality | Virtual Reality | |
| Define | Connects digital information to reality | Injects users into an entirely virtual world |
| Real-world interaction | Digital Content overlays on real-world | Replacing the real world by a virtual one |
| Immersion level | Partial Immersion | Full Immersion Full Immersion |
| Cost | Accessible | Pricey |
| Devices | tablets, smartphones and smart glasses | Displays with Head-mounted Mounts (HMDs) VR headsets head-mounted displays |
| Examples | Virtual 3D models | VR Simulations |
Let's examine a few differences more deeply.
Definition
Augmented reality allows you to overlay digital data onto reality to aid individuals better comprehend the information. Virtual reality, however doesn't communicate with reality. It instead allows the user to be immersed in a completely different world of digital.
Examples
Imagine you're teaching learners about the human body. With VR, you'll make an experience that's immersive and where students are transporting themselves into the human body and are able to examine its functions. The user can interact with various organs, zoom to see the specifics of every organ as well as observe how every body organ performs in real time. This makes for a fascinating and stimulating learning environment students to work in.
It is, however, an option to make use of AR It is possible to go through a text on the human heart, and then view a 3D rendering of the human body's heart. This can be seen on the high up on the page. This allows the students to interact with the 3D model, examine its various components and observe the way it works in relation to different organs. Students are also able to view the text underneath and create a multiple learning space.
Cost
Augmented Reality can be less costly than virtual reality due to the fact that it needs less equipment.
If you are using AR it's commonplace to need a tablet or smartphone as well as an AR application in order to start. The majority of AR apps for education have an unpaid plan, and premium plans start at $100 or less.
However, VR requires a specific headset which could cost thousands or hundreds of dollars. For example, Meta's Quest 3 VR headset costs around $500. Apple's Vision Pro headset costs $3,499. It is also possible that you will need to purchase an extremely powerful computer to run the VR software.
Practical tips for utilizing Augmented Reality in the classroom
Remember these tips whenever you use AR to improve teaching and learning.
Integrate the technology into the learning goals
It doesn't matter how well-developed the AR program or application is. If it's not assisting you in reaching your learning goals It's probably not the best tool for you.
Write three to five things you'd like students to know how to complete at the end of your course. Say you're teaching a class regarding The solar system. Your learning goals could be like this:
- Students must be aware of the structure of the solar system.
- Students must be able to distinguish the difference between the orbit and the rotation
- Students must be able be able to recognize the stars in our galaxy
Once you've defined your goals, the next question is "What AR tools can aid me in achieving these goals?" One example is to use a virtual projector to show realistic images from your solar system.
Consider your budget
Explore inexpensive AR tools that are easy to maintain and use. You don't want to expose students to the world of augmented reality, only to abandon the program in the near in the future because you're not able to fix or maintain the equipment.
There are many cheap and cost-effective AR devices for a variety of applications in education. We've already mentioned some of them in this article. Geogebra is a good illustration in this piece. You can find others using the basic Google search of no cost AR applications.
Take the learners with you on a bus to
You also need to consider the level of knowledge that users have. If they don't have any idea about how AR tools work, it is best to begin with simple AR software including 3D mobile applications. You can introduce more complex applications as they become more familiar with this technology.
Augmented reality isn't a substitute for the essential experiences associated with studying
Imagine augmented reality as icing on top of the cake. It can enhance the learning experience, but it can't fix the broken systems like a lack of clearly defined learning goals, inadequate training, or inadequate feedback.
Be aware of these basic educational requirements first. If you've satisfied the needs, you may use augmented reality in order to provide even better experiences for learners.
Augmented Reality FAQs
Find the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the application of Augmented Reality in schools.
What do I need to do to start with AR in my classroom?
The initial step is to find out how the augmented reality fits into the current teaching setup. Then, you should research inexpensive AR software and tools. Start with inexpensive AR software that works on smartphones prior to investing in expensive hardware.
Next, slowly introduce your students to the latest AR set-up for learning. Discuss the benefits AR is a good option and the ways it can be utilized for teaching purposes. Show them some examples of AR experience and then allow them to explore AR software and applications on their own.
Are you able to afford AR tools to use at schools?
There is a wide range of affordable AR applications and software for educational institutions. An example of this is Co Spaces Edu, a 3D animation software. It is free and the paid plans start at $74.99.
Which topics can most benefit the most AR Integration?
AR integration is primarily useful for those with spatial or visual components for example History Sciences,, and arts. In science, for instance learners can make use of AR to engage through digital simulations of chemicals or to explore virtual creatures.
When it comes to history, people may discover ancient civilizations by overlaying ruins from virtual sites onto actual locations. In Geography it's possible to explore different countries and cultures through overlaying virtual maps and markers on actual sites. In the realm of art, they have the ability to utilize AR to bring their artwork into 3D.
What are the common ways to use augmented reality in the field of education?
There are a variety of ways to make use of AR to boost learning and teaching within the school. You can, for instance, incorporate 3D animations or even models to the textbooks you use, which makes the material more enjoyable. Additionally, you can visualise real situations such as a plant germinating in the soil or abstract ideas from sciences.
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