Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is a promising educational technology, defined as ‘a means with which to supplement the real world with digital information through a visual interface’ (Czerkawski and Berti, 2021). Its emphasis on experiential and immersive learning has led to its adoption across various disciplines and increased focus in university labs and centers (Czerkawski and Berti, 2021).
AR is a prime example of good experience design in education, offering immersive, interactive, and personalized learning environments. It enhances understanding by overlaying digital information onto the real world, allowing students to visualize complex concepts in 3D. AR promotes active learning through hands-on activities and caters to various learning styles and needs, making education more accessible and engaging.
Below, you will find a variety of AR tools that work for students and educators and how the applications have taken UX into consideration when creating these AR tools. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will find YouTube videos with a more in-depth description of each application.
Quiver
Website : https://quivervision.com/
Best for... Elementary students and educators
Quiver combines physical coloring with AR. Students color in printouts, and using the Quiver app, they can see their creations come to life in 3D. This application is excellent for younger students and subjects such as art, science, and geography. Can you imagine having this experience as a kid? How cool!
Quiver considers UX through immersive learning opportunities, interactivity and engagement:
Immersive learning : By bringing students' drawings to life in 3D, the learning experience is made more engaging and memorable
Interactivity : Quiver encourages active participation as students see their physical drawings animated.
Engagement : Seeing their artwork come to life is quite the novelty and ultimately captures students' interest and motivates them to participate.
Merge Cube
Website : https://mergeedu.com/cube
Best for... Elementary and Secondary Students and Educators
Merge Cube is a physical cube that students can hold and interact with. Using the Merge Explorer app, students can see 3D objects appear on the cube, such as planets, cells, or historical artifacts. This is particularly useful for subjects like science and history.
Merge Cube considers UX through immersive learning opportunities, interactivity and personalization:
Immersive Learning: Merge cube allows students to hold and interact with 3D objects, such as planets or cells, in their hands, making abstract concepts tangible.
Interactivity: By manipulating the cube, students engage directly with content, fostering active learning.
Personalization: Teachers can select or create content that alignes with their lesson plans and personalize the learning experience to their students and classroom.
4D Anatomy
Website : https://www.4danatomy.com/students
Best for... Secondary and post-secondary students and educators
4D Anatomy allows students to explore the human body in detail. By pointing their device at printed targets, they can view and interact with 3D models of human anatomy, which can be rotated and explored in depth. This is highly beneficial for biology and health education classes.
4D Anatomy considers UX through immersive learning opportunities, interactivity and accessibility:
Immersive Learning : Anatomy 4D provides detailed 3D models of human anatomy, enabling students to explore and understand complex biological structures.
Interactivity : Students can rotate, zoom in, and explore different layers of the anatomy models, making the learning process highly interactive.
Accessibility : The app can support various learning styles, offering visual and interactive content that can help students with different needs.