WK5 - Augmented Reality & Education

In this blog post, I will be critiquing Augmented Reality Technology (ART) and how it can be used to enhance student digital creativity and learning.

Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging form of technology where real-world experiences are enhanced by computer-generated content that’s linked to specific locations and/or activities (Yuen et al., 2011). Through AR, digital content can be seamlessly incorporated and mixed into our perceptions of the real world, this content may include 2D/3D objects and various digital assets (eg. audio/video files, textual information, olfactory/tactile information) (Yuen et al., 2011). Research from Hidayat et al., (2021) outlines the affordances of using AR technology in education, they state AR;

• Increases student achievement & self-confidence.

• Enhances learning motivations & understandings.

• Provides a positive attitude.

• Increases satisfaction.

• Enhances spatial abilities.

Through using AR technology, students are supported in understanding complex phenomena by being exposed to visual and interactive experiences which combine virtual information to help communicate abstract concepts to learners (Billinghurst & Duenser, 2012). Educational AR technology promotes face-to-face, remote, and shared learning experiences, making a collaborative experience (Billinghurst & Duenser, 2012).

A great example of an AR technology application that could be incorporated into educational activities to foster student creativity is ZapWorks (accessed here https://zap.works/). ZapWorks is a creation tool that allows you to combine images, videos, sounds, weblinks and more which you can ‘layer’ to walls, display, artifacts ect (Denby, 2023).

ZapWorks would be an excellent asset for a Stage 3 history lesson for students to learn the following NSW History K-10 Syllabus outcome;

“describes and explains different experiences of people living in Australia over time” (HT3-2)

For example, ZapWorks could be used for a more creative and interactive lesson about Indigenous people's history and culture when, as an excursion, visiting an Indigenous site. A teacher could create and print ZapWorks triggers and place them around the site to allow students to scavenger hunt and learn relevant content information. In this activity, students would use their phones/iPads provided to scan the QR codes and trigger the image to see the content the teacher has created (Denby, 2023). Additionally, the task could be reversed, where prior to attending the excursion, students could create their own ZapWorks creations and triggers and students go around the site and learn about different content created by their peers. Ultimately, AR technology, such as ZapWorks, enhances students’ creativity through its interactivity, engagement, and rewards. The technology allows students to learn by personally interacting with the content, learn by doing, and expand their technical and creative skillset whilst cultivating their interests in coding and digital media (ZapWorks, 2023).

Check out this trigger image and QR code I have created through ZapWorks below!

This is what it looks like when editing your ZapWorks creation.

First scan the QR you created.

Next, point your camera at the trigger image you created.

Once your camera has reacted with the trigger image, your ZapWorks creation will appear just like this!

If you would like to try out my Zapworks design first scan the QR code, then allow your camera to react with the trigger image - SEE BELOW:

QR CODE

TRIGGER IMAGE

Check out this great YouTube video on how to use ZapWorks for education!

Whilst AR technology like ZapWorks has many affordances, ZapWorks may be costly for schools to utilise and also may be difficult and too complicated for some students to use. Therefore, it should only be incorporated to lessons where appropriate, ie. design lessons with ZapWorks whilst keeping in mind the age of your students and the skill set they possess. Research from Wu et al., (2013, p. 41) found that students using AR “may be cognitively overloaded by the large amount of information encountered, by the multiple technological devices they’re required to use, and the complex tasks they have to complete”. Additionally, incorporating AR technology into education requires schools to have adequate access to technological resources such as iPads, computers, mobile phones ect. which may not be possible for some schools.

Here are some other awesome AR technologies I have tried that could be used to foster student creativity in the classroom;

Octagon's AR cards - more information here https://octagon.studio/

Osmo Pizza Co - more information here

https://www.playosmo.com/en/shopping/games/pizza-co/

Osmo Monster - more information here https://www.playosmo.com/en/shopping/games/monster/

References

Billinghurst, M., & Duenser, A. (2012). Augmented reality in the classroom. Computer, 45(7), 56-63.

Denby, J., (2023). ZapWorks. https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/zapworks#:~:text=ZapWorks%20is%20a%20creation%20tool,create%20in%20three%20different%20ways.

Hidayat, H., Sukmawarti, S., & Suwanto, S. (2021). The application of augmented reality in elementary school education. Research, Society and Development, 10(3), e14910312823-e14910312823.

NSW Educations Standards Authority (NESA). (2012). History K–10 Syllabus. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/hsie/history-k-10

Wu, H. K., Lee, S. W. Y., Chang, H. Y., & Liang, J. C. (2013). Current status, opportunities and challenges of augmented reality in education. Computers & education, 62, 41-49.

Yuen, S. C. Y., Yaoyuneyong, G., & Johnson, E. (2011). Augmented reality: An overview and five directions for AR in education. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE), 4(1), 11.

ZapWorks. (2023). ZapWorks for education. https://zap.works/education/

Relevant links

https://zap.works/