Augmented Reality (AR) as the Latest EdTech in the Classroom

By Kokking Eung, ACE Teacher

Many parents are highly concerned by how easily their children are distracted by digital devices such as smartphones and tablets. In a community rapidly driven by technology, it can be tough for parents to prevent their children from becoming distracted from their studies. What if we could use smartphones or tablets to enhance students’ learning?

Great news! This is no longer just an idea. With augmented reality (AR), students doing homework using their iPad, for example, is a reality. AR is the hottest technological trend to make changes in the world. AR simply integrates digital information with the user’s environment: it uses the existing environment and overlays new information on top of it. AR is commonly used via a mobile app in which the user points their device’s camera at a code, which then generates a variety of content through 3D animation. The content is so realistic that it looks like it is really there.

AR is of great use to the younger generation of students, especially those who are visual learners. It easily captures students’ attention and motivates them to study more. It rejects typical homework methods and instead provides an approach that is fun and engaging. Teachers can include a wide range of computer-generated items in their AR codes, including images, photo albums, videos, sounds, contacts, calendar events and web links, all of which are central entertainment sources for students and make lessons fun.

AR facilitates teachers’ explanations using realistic graphics, and is particularly helpful when students learn grammar or vocabulary. It also makes distance learning easier, as students can study and use effective educational materials outside the classroom via digital devices. Most importantly, parents are able to engage their children to study with fun AR apps. This encourages students to use their smart devices for learning and research purposes.

During the ACE Open Days at the end of Term 1, 2019, the first AR session was carried out at ACE Santhor Mok to reveal the impact of this technology on students’ learning. Prior to the session, we designed several codes that systematically store a variety of content including pictures, reading texts, grammar activities and songs. We also prepared worksheets on these various skills. The session started with students using an iPad to scan a given code. Once the content was displayed on the screen with background music, students explored the content before working in groups to complete the activities on the worksheet. The outcomes of the session were positive, showing that AR enables students to engage more actively in their learning. AR also helps to eliminate boredom in class, fosters students’ curiosity, and develops their teamwork. Moreover, the first AR session was so much fun that some students took part in the second session as well! We are now looking forward to applying AR in the classroom at ACE.

AR is a fantastic tool that encourages creativity and enables learners to engage more actively.