The Benefits of Augmented Reality in Education

We live in such time when there is almost nothing a teacher can do to impress or involve modern students into the studying activities. We’ve already seen everything… And kids are hyperactive more than ever, and adults are bored to death. All those books and lectures… It doesn’t work anymore the same way it worked in a previous decade. Nowadays society requires more. And here is where the age of digital technologies allows us to renovate the educational process and make it an entertaining and unforgettable journey.

How? Well, people are visual learners and our craving for knowledge and new heights is the engine of progress. And there is a bunch of methods that are used in classrooms around the world, like textbooks, lectures, computers, and other electronic devices. But what if we imagine for one second that so many various learning materials are in perfect symbiosis with each other in just one small augmented reality application…  What’s that, you ask? Augmented reality (AR) gives the ability to blend digital technologies with the real world environment.

Known Benefits of Augmented Reality in Education

According to so many studies, augmented reality mobile app development starting from 2010 already became over $200 million industry and the secret ingredient that improved educational processes in many countries across the globe. It has been fused with usual teaching methods to achieve some sound results in pedagogy. Seamlessly mixing the virtual world and the real worlds, AR transforms boring 2D materials into the 3D spatial concept. It proves to be a useful educational tool when it comes to simulation skills and training. But most of all, today the term ‘augmented reality’ means the usage of the various applications that don’t require goggles. AR gives students a sense of embodiment letting them gain some real experience that they can remember afterward. This way a strong connection to previously obtained knowledge is being built on the daily basis.

1. Eye-catching visualization is what all of us like

Let me say this, you want to capture the undivided attention of the audience? Then don’t hesitate a minute, there is no better way than using augmented reality in the classroom. With this technology, you can become a Wizard of Oz for your students! Just imagine, the ability to show fabulous 3D models instead of 2D-flat pictures from any industry or subject that you teach? “Alive” and captivating illustrations combined with suitable activities will mesmerize audiences of any age. We finally can stop only imagining things during the lectures and try to understand how they work while looking at their digital representation.

2. More interactive than ever

A tangible one here, because interactive learning means that the audience can participate in the process by accessing needed models on their own iPhones or smartphones via AR app. Therefore, kids and students will catch up with what they are learning faster and easier. And in addition to this, they’ll engage deeper and have fun while studying in the classrooms – AR allows toying with the material, rotating it, instantly read useful facts and significant tips. So, basically, AR app’s function is to stimulate active exploration of the subject being studied.

3. Optimization of traditional tools and methods for reuse in more effective manner

We all know that physical prototypes and models, posters and books are highly expensive. Not every school can afford the whole set of learning materials required. Not to mention, that such supplies have a tendency to wear down eventually, and there is a need to replace them from time to time which means additional expenses. See my point? Implementing augmented reality in higher education means gaining amazing portable and much cheaper teaching tools.

4. Maximum efficiency and productivity with minimum fuss

Augmented reality in educational process allows students to access 3D-models from various fields with just a simple camera scan, and surf the websites directly from the application. For example, after scanning some photo linked with an AR-model of what is depicted there, students can get an instant detailed information about the subject. Picture – Model – Info – Memory. A perfect and easy learning cycle.  Your students will retain more The knowledge will remain for a much longer period when it’s associated with some part-real experience.

5. Stimulation of the curiosity

Any good teacher’s purpose is to make their lessons so interesting and entertaining that students would be excited about the learning process. And the digital era is, in fact, your best helper that will give you the opportunity to continuously stimulate students’ intellectual curiosity with augmented reality presented to them. New and progressive ideas always awake the mind and make you think passionately about the world around from another point of view. Augmented reality for education transforms a routine and boring lecture into a magical interactive presentation. And contrary to everyone’s thinking, students love it when professors let their imagination fly wild.

6. Saves time and nerves

Let’s face it, AR allows us to learn more with less stress – digital visualization of difficult processes or subjects simplifies the efforts we need to put to understand the material. And then, it saves a lot of time for students to spend on searching already filtered relevant information that they definitely need for a certain course. Therefore, motivate them and make them eager to learn more using the AR technology.

7. No troubles with the language barrier

It’s always a disturbing inconvenience when it comes to the language barrier in the education process. Many people decide to study in different countries, but not everyone has time and ability to learn the foreign language. That problem is easily solved with augmented reality, where every possible language can be integrated into the software.

Where is it being used?

The concept is widely used across the world, but for now, there are some striking augmented reality in education examples like ‘32 Apps for the Classroom’. Of course, the AR industry isn’t new but it began to increasingly evolve just recently, so it’s still growing and expanding way beyond the famous Google Glasses. Unique possibilities for students to discover their own learning path, real-life environment simulations, no time pressure and no real consequences in case of mistakes during training – all of this and more are out there for any teacher’s benefit.

Shall we make a quick stop and see a list of other spheres where AR is appreciated?   

• High and higher education institutions (Universities of Madison-Wisconsin and MIT, Lunar Phases Astronomy AR Lesson)
• Medicine sector (operations planning, professionals training, surgery practicing etc.)
• Military and aviation training
• Industry-specific apps for the oil and gas factories
• Operations control in the mining sector
• Language learning gaming apps (Mentira)
• Drivers Simulators (Driver’s ed)
• AR apps for kids education (FETCH! Lunch Rush)
• Apps for getting the knowledge of the world around (Geotagging, GeoGoggle)
• Sport industry

And how can you get yourself that marvelous AR application?

Well, I won’t be lying if I say that developing such app can be tricky and pretty difficult for amateurs. Not to mention the cost, however, it’s not that scary and the investment won’t be big but will be greatly profitable. So, startups should consider hiring mobile app development company, who provide their excellent services for a reasonable price and have an experienced skilled team. In the end, you get a fully functional reliable product with an appropriate UX/UI design and promising perspectives for business purposes. Look for the developers who are as passionate about the augmented reality concept as you are, then together you’ll find a golden solution.

Keep up with time, be progressive and foreseeing by using the AR technology in your teaching process!