Augmented Reality in Education
Welcome to this OER all about Augmented Reality tools for enhancing educational experiences.
Our goal is to give you a better understanding of the tools available, and allow you to choose your comfort level and use cases for incorporating AR into your classroom. Whether you want ready made tools that you can start using tomorrow, tools that you can use to build your own custom AR content, or you're looking to introduce AR creation to your students, we've got you covered. You choose what works for you and meets your needs.
We are focusing on AR tools that do not require any additional technology, beyond mobile devices, like tablets and mobile phones. That means all of the examples we discuss in this site augment learning without AR glasses, headsets, or additional physical objects (with the exception of some paper printouts). The idea is to keep it low tech and therefore low cost, which removes barriers to access while still being purposeful.
AR content displayed on a tablet and mobile when scanning an empty room, creating a similar experience to a virtual museum visit.
Considerations for Using AR in Your Classroom
When thinking about incorporating AR into your lessons, there are a couple key considerations.
Is it purposeful?
Does it add additional value over traditional teaching methods?
What we're really trying to get at here is that we shouldn't use technology for the sake of it, but rather be selective in its use cases and bring it into our lessons when it is appropriate and offers learning benefits that wouldn't or couldn't be afforded with more traditional teaching practices and technologies. Some of those affordances include:
visualizing and conceptualizing abstract concepts (e.g. being able to count and connect atoms for real time transformation of compounds; see the formation and inside of a tornado).
situating and contextualizing learning to bring problem solving to life (e.g. a digital car manual that shows you how to fix your car in real time)
connecting the learner with content that wouldn't otherwise be accessible (e.g. 3D view beneath the skin; taking students inside the pyramids)
reducing costs of and access to learning materials (e.g. creating drama productions and short films without the need for physical set materials; dissecting frogs)
developing spatial awareness
breathing new life into repetitive practice (e.g. language learning)
teaching digital literacy skills
It should not be used for every lesson, or just like any other tool, it can become disengaging. Embrace the novelty of AR for lessons that need a next level of engagement or create a learaning opportunity unlike any other, so it is memorable for your students.
Discussion
What other affordances does AR offer your students and as such, makes a good case for using AR?
Share your thoughts in the thread on the ETEC 523 blog site.
Authors
Lynsey Duncan
I hold a B.A. in Applied Linguistics and a TESL Ontario cert from Brock University. I taught Academic ESL at the post-secondary level for 6 years and was our school's ed. tech coach, before moving into instructional design back in 2016.
Doug Millie
Hello! I graduated from the University of Alberta with a BMus and BEd in 2004. I have been teaching Band, Computers, Home Ec., and other classes in rural Saskatchewan since 2006.