As the implementation of technology continues to advance in wider business contexts, educators are striving to foster new and creative ways to teach students and create a new learning environment, in line with the capabilities of technology. The emerging potential of Augmented Reality in education is coming to be realised. This blog will explore how AR can be implemented within education, in order to nurture the transition to technology fuelled learning.
Defining Augmented Reality
Firstly, to realise the impending impact of Augmented Reality (AR) within education, it’s essential to define the concept of AR. ‘Augmented Reality is an enhanced version of the important physical world that’s achieved through the utilization of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli delivered via technology’.
Methods of Implementation
The first method of implementation of AR within education is to begin the process of replacing physical textbooks with technology. The rationale behind this decision would not be just to reduce the number of textbooks carried around and managed by students, but also for schools to cut down on the expenses incurred in paying for learning materials and further equipment, such as whiteboards, pens, etc.
Educators can also look to introduce Augmented Reality technologies for collaborative means. Utilising apps that enable students to simultaneously work on the same object/model together, whether that is synchronously or asynchronously. This collaborative method would promote teamwork and also increase a student’s ability and motivation to learn from home.
However, when implementing AR into educational processes, it is not always necessary for the technology to completely replace the existing format/process, instead, it can be used to supplement current methods. For example, using an AR app to learn about the solar system, where students can digitally explore space, with the ability to zoom and pan the digital model to gain a clearer understanding of the learning topic. However, this should not replace traditional teacher-led lessons, with teachers having the knowledge of which learning outcomes need to be met for each individual lesson. Something which Augmented Reality is currently unable to identify, as the apps in question are not individualised for specific schools or regions.
Within the AR4EFL project we are aiming to create a realistic learning environment for learners of a second language as a means to motivate them to learn. We also seek to design, test and publish an innovative educational package based on AR technology for primary school teachers that will guide and support their English (or any other) as second language teaching. As well as providing quality training to primary school teachers on how to utilise the innovative educational package in in traditional or virtual/online classroom.
For more information please visit our website: https://ar4efl.eu/
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