The Benefits of Augmented Reality in Education

Mimi Sarwar, Writer
@uxconnections

Augmented Reality can be a positive influence, grabbing student’s attention with its combinations of technological creativeness.

Augmented Reality (AR) is an exceptional trend in the ever-evolving fast-paced advancement of technology. With AR, it’s all about the digital world meeting the real world, with graphical overlays to access real-time information at an excessive speed for users.

The global AR and virtual reality (VR) market is forecasted to mature to an impressive $571.42 billion by 2025. Naturally, big tech giants like Google, Sony and Facebook have come on board to implement AR development to get ahead in the mixed reality division.

Education is one sector that can benefit from the implementation of AR. It is content-heavy and requires maximum engagement and attention from its students – the end users. 

With its impressive visuals, bridging the physical and digital worlds, student’s attention can be captured for what’s hoped for longer periods of time, maximising their intake and retention of information. This will help shape the world of education for future generations, both fascinating them and engaging their minds. 

Mobile apps such as 3D4Medical and Star Chart are innovative learning platforms helping users understand more about the anatomy and star constellations using AR technology.

We’ll walk through some of the substantial benefits that will transform the face of the education sector with the application of AR.

1. Quick Access to Educational Materials

Textbooks have their place in the education sector but unfortunately cannot be incrementally updated until the next edition is officially published. 

AR offers a dynamic way of distributing current information that is adaptable and easily accessible. 

With AR, students will have on-the-go, readily available educational materials making their study experience a much smoother one.

2. Delivering Hardware-Free Content

Before AR came along, it’s cousin -virtual reality (VR) – was counted on as being the game-changer in advanced technology. But when it came to integrating VR into education, there were a few problems users ran into with VR headsets. It was a fascinating step in learning, but the bulky headsets and their varying degrees of visual quality were a downside. Some users complained of experiencing headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision after a VR session. 

AR removes VR’s deficiencies as it does not require hardware like the headset. It can conveniently run off a smartphone of a tablet by pointing the device camera at AR stickers or symbols which will then in turn project the digital content. In other words – with AR there’s no need to worry about bulky hardware compromising your intake of study material.

3. Greater Student Engagement

When it comes to the traditional classroom setting, students are observers who are usually exposed to content in a 2D format. Their primary mode of educational consumption is through text but herein lies a problem. 

Humans cannot consume large volumes of text in one go, and sometimes in education, this is called for. Cramming text into a session might be the only time to work through vast volumes of material in order to progress through the course material. This can decrease user s’ productivity and make the learning process an ineffective experience. 

AR creates an interactive virtual learning environment where students are more engaged and can work more dynamically with course material. It moves away from information being presented only as 2D. Videos, audio clips and interactive whiteboards are some interactive ways that AR can make the learning process a more interesting and dynamic journey for users. 

If there is a need to consume large volumes of materials, students can digitally receive it and work through it at their own pace as opposed to feeling pressured to retain everything in one sitting. AR ensures that content is available and stays available without the worry of missing out or losing crucial study material.

Diversifying Education

Augmented reality implements the power of the cloud, diversifying the face of education. With data being synced over the air, educational material can now be taught dynamically, keeping students engaged more longer.

As technology develops, so are the way users want to access information using it. AR is the trigger to revolutionising how learning is experienced, powering student’s knowledge.