Implications of Augmented Reality In eLearning

Augmented Reality or AR provides a virtual projection of the real world. It does so by utilizing computer-generated inputs. One just needs an appropriate device with relevant software solutions installed in it to use Augmented Reality. While AR does have its uses in other industries, tech experts recently started incorporating it in e-learning solutions, and the results were astounding.
 
As the march of technology continues, entrepreneurs associated with the world of education attempt to develop new and creative ways to educate students. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, schools, colleges, tuition centers, and every other kind of educational establishment had to keep their doors closed for the safety of the pupils, as well as everyone else associated with the institution.
 
However, education didn’t stop. E-learning and online education platforms have been around long before this catastrophic and world-changing outbreak. However, they gained popularity during the pandemic. From what it seems at the moment, online education will become the norm of the “new normal” way of life, even after humanity manages to outlast the coronavirus.
 
Most businesses and industries got sucker-punched soon after the virus started invading one country after the other. A few organizations succumbed to those blows, never to stand up again. However, a few industries not only managed to stand up to the pandemic but thrived in it, and the education industry is one of them. As an entrepreneur, if you’re going to invest in e-learning app development solutions, you can be certain that it’ll be a lucrative venture.
 
You can even make your online education platform different from the others by integrating Augmented Reality into it. This topic will tell you about the implications of AR in e-learning.
 

About the technology

You probably know a thing or two about Augmented Reality, but it never hurts to go over it one more time. Augmented Reality, also called AR, creates an admixture of the real-world environment and computer-generated additions. In doing so, this technology “augments” the way the user experiences reality. AR does it by incorporating physical environments as the setting or background of an application or game and then filling up those environments with digitally-created elements. These elements interact with the real-world environment in the form of objects or digital overlays.
 
AR systems use several devices, such as gloves, helmet gear, and, of course, handheld gadgets, such as smartphones and tablets. Augmented Reality also differs significantly from Virtual Reality. The latter immerses the user into an entirely fabricated version of “reality.” As you know now, AR is just a blend of the physical environment with digital constructs woven into it. Similarly, this form of technology is different from Augmented Virtuality or AV because AR adds computer-generated virtual elements to a real environment, while AV uses reality-based elements to a virtually-generated environment.
 

Education and AR

With the advancements made by every augmented reality app development company, as well as the technology itself, a few educators and educational institutions started incorporating it into their education techniques. While it didn’t go mainstream as of yet, several teachers are using AR-powered applications that can give boring textbooks on science subjects an animated touch. It also helps teachers create flashcards to make the learning experience enjoyable. Furthermore, AR can also come in handy to enhance the homework given to students, conduct laboratory classes without actually entering a lab, interact with 3D models of animals, humans, plants, and more. As students can’t even go to school, let alone enter the laboratory, such technologically enhanced systems will provide them with a concise way of exploring and learning different topics, particularly the more complicated ones.
 
AR-based learning platforms aren’t just for school and college students. Other organizations have been using AR systems for some time, as already mentioned earlier. Business enterprises can resort to Augmented Reality to train their employees. Even soldiers began using it to simulate training. The US Army uses AR in its Synthetic Training Environment or STE to prepare the soldiers for battle. This STE program does it by virtually creating combat-like situations over in a real-world environment to give soldiers the experience of what it’s like to fight a war. They learn how to tackle risky situations and come out unscathed and even save their fellow soldiers.
 
Apart from everything described above, AR education has also become quite a phenomenon in museums and other historical educators. They utilize Augmented Reality to offer their audiences an exciting, interesting, and interactive learning experience.
 

How AR adds value to education?

Based on real-life applications and case studies associated with Augmented Reality education, there are several ways how the work of an augmented reality app development company can add value.
 

 

(1) Bestowing life upon coloured drawings

It’s perfectly possible to bring coloured drawings to life with AR, and one example worth mentioning is the work of Disney. As you know, colouring books allow children one the earliest opportunities to explore their creativity. However, with the proliferation and popularity of digital devices, real-life activities, such as colouring can be somewhat unexciting. AR can reverse this situation by bridging the gap between the real world and the digital world with digital improvements.
 

(2) Studying the planets and space

When it comes to explaining how the universe works, a student will be able to understand the intricacies associated with cosmic studies. It’s a vast area that can be quite a challenge to grasp and contemplate, but when visualized through illustrations, things may become a bit easier.
 

(3) For medical students and school children

Students of both primary and secondary school, along with university pupils can benefit from AR, particularly for science-based subjects. After all, not everyone can purchase a skeleton to learn about the human body or the aspects of it in more depth. However, a student with access to an AR-based e-learning app can retrieve this information in a 3D format and fulfil visual learning.
 

The benefits

Now that you know about a couple of use cases of AR in e-learning, it’s time to take a look at how it will benefit students.
 

 

(1) Kindling the interest of students

Studies conducted by researchers on the effectiveness of AR found that it can help students become more interested in learning because they’ll be able to use interactive 3D models. On the other hand, students tend to get bored while learning science topics from a regular textbook. They’ll fall in love with 3D models of animals, humans, volcanoes, etc. Another study conducted by marketers proved that the use of AR in education can increase attendance and even student participation.
 

(2) Helping students grasp concepts

Students often experience trouble grasping complicated concepts, such as the geological process or the rotation of the Earth. They can’t visualize these events, which is why they can’t swallow them. However, you can use AR app development services to build an AR application. Teachers will provide students will appropriate visuals via this app and help them grasp unobservable concepts via 3D models. AR-based online education systems are also mandatory for students who are primarily visual learners. Teachers noticed a significant improvement among pupils when they used AR-based education systems to teach mathematics.
 

(3) Personalizing education

Students that struggle with education often blame the materials presented to them, and it isn’t an excuse. Education experts have evidence to prove that the kind of study materials offered to a student will affect his/her learning profoundly. Incorporating AR-based systems in virtual classrooms allows both students and teachers to personalize lessons according to the requirements of every learner. Additionally, Augmented Reality programs allow students to gain access to interactive education. Whether it facilitates students to learn at their own pace or lets teachers create personalized guides for students, the application of AR-based education displayed its ability to customize the learning experience of every student.
 

(4) Creating a community

Finally, with AR app development services, you can create a community where students and teachers will come together and connect with each other. In this way, educators can support their pupils and work with those youngsters who’re having problems understanding difficult concepts.
 

Endnote

There isn’t a shred of doubt that the Augmented Reality technology can be a boon for educational purposes, especially during pandemic-ridden times like these. Students need to study, but they can’t cope with the mental weariness associated with staying locked behind the doors of their houses. AR will add a touch of excitement to learning and make staying at home and studying a bit more enjoyable. From the perspective of an eLearning startup business after COVID-19, investing in an AR-based e-learning app is a commendable move. So, consider going down this path without hesitation, but don’t forget to research service providers before you hand over the task of development to an app development agency with experience in offering e-learning app development solutions.