In our contemporary society, the essence of digital technologies cannot be overemphasized. Not only does it expose users to a wide array of information and knowledge, but it also ensures a sustainable lifestyle and maximal productivity. The least we could afford, to be left out of this digital revolution, is the education system, which in no time should experience a paradigm shift, in its technical and technological aspects, in response to the increasing demands of today’s digital learners.
Augmented reality, in recent years, has been considered one of the technologies to effectively help in this capacity. It has been reported to be significant in expediting and changing the learning process. From its name, there’s a pointer to its essence, it “augments” the world around us. Augmented reality complements the physical world with virtual contents. It integrates digital information into the user’s environment, in a bid to more provoke the learner’s interest and commitment, ensures consistency with the needs of the learner.
It also provide adaptability and personalization of the learning experience. Augmented reality, unlike virtual reality, do not seek to replace the real world with a digitally created virtual one, but rather, maximize potentials, by overlaying virtual objects over the physical world, and give real objects detailed virtual information. With this, the technology improves, and enrich the world around users, and thereby serve as a bridge between the real world and the digital world blur the boundaries and enhance the connectivity, for the good of the users.
Types of Augmented Reality Learning
Varying criteria can be used for the classification of augmented reality, but for this article, the hardware used would be employed to distinguish between the different types of augmented reality.
- Stationary augmented reality system – immovable systems equipped with powerful cameras capable of recognizing and analyzing images and scenes from reality.
- Spatial augmented reality system that juts out virtual contents on physical objects in appropriate sizes and proportions.
- Desktop augmented reality – systems that use computer cameras to recognize objects from the physical world and attribute virtual objects or contents to them.
- Handheld devices – systems that’ll employ GPS capabilities to read the users positions and provide the updated information related to their location in appropriate forms.
- Head-mounted devices are systems that combine the virtual and real objects for visualization in front of the users.
- Contact lenses – It’s believed to be the future of augmented reality. It’d allow users to get a combined image of real objects embedded with virtual contents.
However, it should be known that the way users interact and identify scenes and pictures from reality can also be used in the classification of augmented reality. Editors at Pro-Papers based on their research of the current market, diversify the next types of augmented reality tech:
- Location-based augmented reality – These augmented reality applications use GPS capabilities, to locate the positions of the users, and then give up to date information about real objects, near the location.
- Vision-based augmented reality – These augmented reality applications use the cameras of the devices, to recognize, interpret, and integrate it with the known real objects.
Benefits of Learning with Augmented Reality
Faster learning
With augmented reality, the learning process would not only become more comfortable, but it’d also be faster. Printed materials would be supplemented with digital multimedia agents, be it audio, video, animation, or even 3D objects. In an era of growing reluctance to read printed materials, augmented reality would fill this gap and make learning relatable, interactive, dynamic, and interesting for the benefit of the learner. You’ve heard at some point that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but you don’t know the veracity of this, or better said, you’re lazy to check it up. Now imagine an augmented reality enabled the world of learning, where you point the camera on the apple, and the nutritional value pops up.
Practical skills development
Augmented reality would help learners gain practical skills needed for an expert like credentials. It’d through simulations, and the mixed environment – real-life and virtual objects – prepare learners for the real-life expertise challenges, and encourage them to strive to reach mastery. Augmented reality would provide learners the possibility to manipulate, interact, work, and experiment with virtual objects and 3D models of real objects, and enrich their practical life, and strengthen their problems solving skills.
We’re in the digital age – a society characterized by digital transformation, and constant access to the internet, and increasing innovative technologies. Education is a significant part of the community and should follow the technological trend, not necessarily because of the technologies, but to satisfy the changing needs and requirements of the learners. Augmented reality, coupled with advanced pedagogical training, would significantly transform the educational system, and inspire learners to participate in the learning process actively.
