Learning improved with research-based evolution in teaching methods. Educators adapted to the best curriculum designs and employed practices that made learning efficient. The same was followed in training across institutions, academic and industrial. The metrics that mattered the most were knowledge, skill retention, speed of learning, and training cost. The significant boost came with the technological revolution. The Internet revolution transformed knowledge transfer. Reliance on the World Wide Web grew exponentially. Later, AI contributed to automated learning. Today, however, great potential lies in education powered by immersive technology, from simulated virtual experiences to Spatial Computing to simple AR learning.
Augmented reality (AR) is changing education for good by creating immersive and interactive learning experiences. By overlaying digital information and objects in the real world, AR helps the students learn in a completely new manner and ensures that they engage with and retain the content better than ever. But, there is far more to what AR can do to enhance education, and we will explore some of the most feasible and popular ones in this blog.
What is Augmented Reality Learning?
Augmented reality integrates virtual objects and information into the user’s real-world environment. Unlike virtual reality, which is completely simulated, AR uses 3D models to create digitally created objects in reality rather than seeing them on a screen or in VR mode. In education, AR helps and allows students to visualize abstract concepts and interact with digital models and simulations. This learning module supplements their natural curiosity as well as learning experience.
Augmented Reality Learning for classroom
Augmented Reality in the classroom can be used to create engaging presentations, interactive textbooks, 3D diagrams, and immersive simulations. Teachers can use it to overlay digital content and media onto real-world objects and spaces to boost understanding of complex topics and increase involvement. You can create simple Augmented Reality learning apps that allow students to scan textbook pages and access supplementary videos, models, quizzes, and more.
AR learning in online education
It opens an entirely new and much more exciting world for online and distance education by creating immersive, practical learning experiences that are impossible with conventional video-based online education. With AR learning online, Students can access 3D models to study details interactively, take virtual field trips to augment theoretical lessons, conduct simulated lab experiments, benefit from interactive instructions overlaid with actual equipment and tasks, and more. AR brings e-learning closer to what the classroom can provide for most learners and the unprivileged in remote places where conventional methods are not usable.
Augmented Reality Training
Augmented Reality and learning can become hugely valuable for workplace training. You can use it to provide safe, customizable simulations to train interns and new workers. AR can help trainees practice high-risk or expensive and dangerous tasks through simulation. It will when they work with actual patients, equipment, or inventory, from retail to manufacturing to medicine. This type of training will boost their confidence and reduce the chance of blunders in sensitive fields.
AR Learning examples: Key Implementation Ideas
Some of the key uses of AR in the field of education are-
Interactive textbooks, diagrams, models
Textbooks can finally be more than ink and paper for students. Students can access 3D models, videos, and simulations by scanning textbook pages with tablet devices. Also, diagrams and models that are hard to understand can be better understood with the interactive features present in AR models.
Immersive historical, and cultural simulations
History and social studies lessons are tedious for many. With AR, they can become more engaging with lifelike simulations of historical events, cultures, and artifacts. You can imagine reading about a revolutionary speech and learning about it through an AR model that depicts the characters and speech as if it’s happening before you. History and social studies won’t remain boring any longer.
3D model-based immersive learning for complicated subjects
Intricate subjects like anatomy, engineering, and architecture can be complicated to understand even after spending hours on them. With AR, you can make them considerably easy through detailed AR models that students can manipulate, navigate, and explore interactively.
Field trips to distant locations
Field trips are one of the most cherished moments of our school life. What if we could virtually explore places we never thought of? Or what if you could see creatures that are hard to come by even in reality? With AR, school trips will become more interesting and educational because of the many possibilities.
How do you implement AR for learning?
Even if AR is getting popular, that doesn’t mean implementing it is as easy as it may seem. For education purposes, it’s a tad bit harder, as you have to take note of many nuances before deciding how to utilize it to enhance learning in the best way possible.
Consider multiple learning styles when designing experiences
Designing AR materials suitable for people with disabilities or other disorders is an important aspect to cover and work on. Visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic learners need help using conventional methods to learn. So, choosing a way that fits their learning style is important.
Ensure accessibility features
With AR, we have a unique advantage where we can design an education model that can suit different groups of people. These accessibility features can range from text navigation to voice-over command features. It is hard to implement them in conventional modes but you can easily implement them in AR-based learning modules.
Have a robust educator training program
Educators will need help adapting to the new teaching mode quickly. So a robust training program can ensure they are comfortable with the tools and modules. It is essential to ensure an efficient learning method.
Start small with pilot projects and standardized evaluations
You should run small pilots first to demonstrate AR’s value and obtain students’ feedback to improve in areas that may not be apparent. In the later implementation stage, you can standardize these projects as effective programs across campuses and training centers.
Develop age-appropriate and subject-specific content
It is essential to ensure that you tailor the AR experiences to the subject matter, age group, learner needs, and use environment. Adding optional features and information for a particular age group will increase the cost of projects and confuse the students. The more specific and subject-oriented the content, the higher the chance students can utilize the AR modules efficiently and effectively.
Education is crucial across institutions of all types, starting schools, colleges, industries, and workplaces. The world is upgrading how people learn and retain knowledge. If you are considering upgrading to an AR learning institution or want to amplify training that is quick, efficient, and yet effective, consider signing up to PlugXR Platform and start creating Augmented Reality learning content, or book a free demo!