“Augmented reality (AR) is an enhanced version of the real physical world that is achieved through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli delivered via technology”, as defined by Investopedia. Thus, Augmented Reality can be included in education as an EdTech solution to improve the students’ learning experiences.
Essentially, we enhance the real world around us and make it come to life. So, imagine being in your Geography class, explaining to the students the importance and beauty of the Egyptian Pyramids but at the same time showing them exactly what you are Teaching with Augmented Reality.
Technology has changed many aspects of our daily lives, some for the better. For industries such as education, however, the change has been quite slow. Many still can not benefit from advanced technological equipment that may help develop for the ever-changing future. But what are some of the benefits of incorporating EdTech into the educational landscape for teachers and students?
- Online learning
- Interactive boards
- Projectors
- And fun!
This also allows for students to develop skills they can use every day:
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork
- Meta-skills
We do not want to think of EdTech as a tool replacing the current curriculums, but rather as a way of supplementing the already existing Teaching resources. This means enhancing the existing methods of teaching and allowing for a new learning experience for both, teachers and students. EdTech tools such as Augmented Reality help combine the real world with 3D objects, appearing right in front of you. It allows for a simpler approach to abstract concepts. It could be difficult to understand these concepts otherwise if explained with words only. Wouldn’t it be so useful if you could teach students various geometrical shapes by visualising and interacting with the objects?
Implementing such technology in K12 education and using it in the classroom or remotely can be simple, fun and safe. It is a matter of finding the right Augmented Reality applications to use easily on your web interface or even your mobile. The Augmented Classroom can be an exciting new way to challenge your students in learning about STEM subjects or develop collaboration skills in team games by competing against each other in a game of Flags. You could even create interesting quests and quizzes for students to learn different vocabulary and test their knowledge.
Teachers can notice a lot of benefits in implementing Augmented Reality in classes. Not only could you create an engaging lesson including all the students, but also help expand students’ imagination, facilitate their learning experience, use interactive multimedia and much more.
The existing content is not changing, it is simply being brought to life for an innovative and exciting new learning experience for students to learn about the world around us.