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What are Augmented Reality (AR) Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality?
What are Augmented Reality (AR) Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality?
Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR) are technologies that blend the real world with digital information — like 3D objects, animations, sounds, or text. VR immerses users in virtual environments, offering fully interactive digital worlds, while AR and MR overlay or combine digital elements with the real environment. These tools have the potential to transform how students explore, visualize, and interact with learning content. They can also bridge the gap between hands-on and digital learning — for example, instead of looking at a diagram in a book, students can see and interact with that same concept in 3D.
Figure 1
Digital Promise. (2022, May 12). Differentiating AR, VR and MR [Image]. 360 Story Lab: 360 Production Guide.
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
Augmented Reality (AR) is where virtual pictures, texts, animations and 3D models are placed over the real world. Students see their real world surroundings like their desks and classrooms, but with AR they see 3D virtual objects on top of a headset, tablet or phone. AR often runs on devices teachers already have (like iPads or phones), it’s one of the most accessible ways to introduce immersive technology into lessons.
AR's layering is not limited to visual content. Adding auditory layers, like translations or explanatory audio, also fits within the AR framework because these sounds overlay and augment the real environment, enhancing understanding without replacing the natural sensory inputs. For example, audio augmented reality can provide translations that mix with environmental sounds, giving users context as they hear content in another language along with real-world audio cues. This multisensory augmentation enriches user engagement and comprehension in learning and other settings. For instance, in audio augmented reality, translations as well environmental sounds provide context in real time as users experience the audio of the content in another language and real audio cues. This enhancing of multiple senses improves matrix clusters in learning situations, and appreciation in other situations.
Technology Requirements for AR
Most AR tools work on:
Tablets (iPads, Android tablets)
Smartphones
Web-based AR apps (no headset needed)
What is Mixed Reality (MR)?
What is Mixed Reality (MR)?
Mixed Reality (MR) blends real and digital worlds so that both can interact with each other in real time. Microsoft defines MR as “a blend of physical and digital worlds, unlocking natural and intuitive 3D human, computer, and environmental interactions.” It’s more advanced than AR: the virtual objects are aware of their surroundings and respond naturally to people and space.
Technology Requirements for MR
Most MR tools work on:
Meta Quest
Apple Vision Pro
Meta Display Glasses
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
Virtual reality, or VR, is a simulated three-dimensional (3D) environment that lets users experience virtual surroundings as if they were real. Users get to be fully involved in this virtual world by using all sorts of devices like goggles, headsets or even bodysuits to interact with it.
Technology Requirements for VR
Most VR tools work on:
Meta Quest
HTC Vive
Valve Index
Breakdown between AR and MR
Breakdown between AR and MR
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