The Educational Potential of Augmented Reality Technology: Experiences of Instructional Designers and Practitioners

Abstract

In this study, the educational potential of the augmented reality (AR) technology was investigated in the context of the instructional designers and practitioners' experiences. Within this scope, intrinsic case study design was used in this study. 42 instructional designers and 10 practitioners participated in the research. The data were collected using open-ended questionnaire from instructional designers. Interviews were held with the practitioners through the semi-structured interview form created from the open-ended questionnaire. The qualitative data were analyzed with the content analysis method, using Nvivo 8.0 software. The participants suggested that AR would be more influential in the educational fields of science education, social studies, and health education. Among the most important instructional materials to be developed with AR technology are 3D materials, videos, and animations. The participants suggested that AR could be useful in the development of special applications for other fields of education. For example, AR could be used to create magic books, 3D demonstrations related to different subjects, and experimental simulations in the field of science education. Moreover, the participants suggested that AR could provide system design enhancements to better attract users’ attention, to improve retention, to increase user motivation, and to “concretize” virtually presented information by creating a fuller sense of reality in terms of educational. Lastly, in order to develop an AR application, several points must be considered in the stages of analysis, design, development, and implementation. We present these points for consideration in detail. The results obtained in this study can be used to guide future research studies on AR technology.  

Keywords

• media in education,augmented reality,educational potential

References

1. Akçayır, M., & Akçayır, G. (2017). Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality for education: A systematic review of the literature. Educational Research Review, 20(2017), 1-11.
2. Akçayır, M., Akçayır, G., Pektaş, H. M., & Ocak, M. A. (2016). Augmented reality in science laboratories: The effects of augmented reality on university students’ laboratory skills and attitudes toward science laboratories. Computers in Human Behavior, 57, 334-342.
3. Arvanitis, T. N., Petrou, A., Knight, J. F., Savas, S., Sotiriou, S., Gargalakos, M., et al. (2007). Human factors and qualitative pedagogical evaluation of a mobile augmented reality system for science education used by learners with physical disabilities. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 13(3), 243–250.
4. Aziz, N. A. A., Aziz, K. A., Paul, A., Yusof A. M., & Noor, N. S. M. (2012). Providing augmented reality based education for students with attention deficit hyperactive disorder via cloud computing: Its advantages. Advanced Communication Technology (ICACT) pp.577-581.
5. Azuma, R.T., (1997). A survey of augmented reality. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 6(4), 355-385.
6. Balog, A., & Pribeanu, C. (2010). The role of perceived enjoyment in the students’ acceptance of an augmented reality teaching platform: a structural equation modelling approach. Studies in Informatics and Control, 19(3), 319-330.
7. Billinghurst, M., Kato, H., & Poupyrev, I. (2001). The Magic Book-Moving seamlessly between reality and virtuality. IEEE Computer Graphics and Application, 21(3), 6-8.
8. Broll, W., Lindt, I., Herbst, I., Ohlenburg, J., Braun, A. K., & Wetzel, R. (2008). Toward next-gen mobile AR games. Computer Graphics and Applications, IEEE, 28(4), 40-48.

9. Carlson, K. J., & Gagnon, D. J. (2016). Augmented Reality Integrated Simulation Education in Health Care. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 12(4), 123-127.
10. Chen, Y.C., Chi, H.L., Hung, W.H., & Kang, S.C. (2011). Use of tangible and augmented reality models in engineering graphics courses. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 137(4), 267–276.
11. Chen, C. P., & Wang, C. H. (2015). Employing Augmented-Reality-Embedded Instruction to Disperse the Imparities of Individual Differences in Earth Science Learning. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 24(6), 835-847.
12. Cheng, K. H., & Tsai, C. C. (2014). The interaction of child–parent shared reading with an augmented reality (AR) picture book and parents' conceptions of AR learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 47(1), 203-222.
13. Cheok, A. D., Li, Y., Pan, J., & Zhou, Z. (2004). Magic story cube: an interactive tangible interface for storytelling. Proceedings of the 2004 ACM SIGCHI International Conference on Advances in computer entertainment technology (pp. 364-365). Singapore.
14. Chien, C.H., Chen, C.H., & Jeng, T.S. (2010). An interactive augmented reality system for learning anatomy structure. Proceedings of International Conference of Engineers and Computer Scientists (pp. 370-375). Hong Kong.
15. Clark, R.E. (1983). Reconsidering research on learning from media. Review of Educational Research, 53, 445-459.
16. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Lincoln: Sage Publications.
17. DePriest, D. (2012). The fifth dimension: how augmented reality is launching worlds within our world. In Proceedings of TCC - Teaching Colleges and Community Worldwide Online Conference 2012 (pp. 6-13).
18. Dunleavy, M., Dede, C., & Mitchell, R. (2009). Affordances and limitations of immersive participatory augmented reality simulations for teaching and learning. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 18(1), 7–22.
19. Dünser, A. (2008). Supporting low ability readers with interactive augmented reality. Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine: Changing the Face of Healthcare, 6, 41-48.
20. Dünser, A., & Hornecker, E. (2007). An observational study of children interacting with an augmented story book. In 2nd International Conference of E-Learning and Games (Edutainment 2007) (pp. 305-315).
21. Farias, L., & Dantas, R.R. (2011, September). Edu-AR: A tool for assist the creation of augmented reality content for education. IEEE International Conference on Virtual Environments, Human-Computer Interfaces and Measurement Systems, Natal, Brazil.
22. Fischer, J., Neff, M., Freudenstein, D., & Bartz, D. (2004, June). Medical Augmented Reality based on Commercial Image Guided Surgery. In Eurographics Symposium on Virtual Environments (EGVE).
23. Fonseca, D., Martí, N., Redondo, E., Navarro, I., & Sánchez, A. (2014). Relationship between student profile, tool use, participation, and academic performance with the use of Augmented Reality technology for visualized architecture models. Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 434-445.
24. Hamza-Lup, F. G., Rolland, J.P., & Hughes, C. (2004). A Distributed Augmented Reality System for Medical Training and Simulation. Energy, Simulation-Training, Ocean Engineering and Instrumentation: Research Papers of the Link Foundation Fellows (pp. 213–35).
25. Huang, T. C., Chen, C. C., & Chou, Y. W. (2016). Animating eco-education: To see, feel, and discover in an augmented reality-based experiential learning environment. Computers & Education, 96, 72-82.
26. Ifenthaler, D., & Eseryel, D. (2013). Facilitating complex learning by mobile augmented reality learning environments. In R. Huang, J. M. Spector & Kinshuk (Eds.), Reshaping learning: The frontiers of learning technologies in a global context (pp. 415-438). New York: Springer.
27. Jan, U., Noll, C., Behrends, M., & Albrecht, U.V. (2012). mARble – Augmented reality in medical education. Biomedical Engineering/ Biomedizinische Technik, 57(1), 67-70.
28. Kaufmann, H. (2004). Geometry Education with Augmented Reality, Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Vienna University of Technology, Austria.
29. Kerawalla, L., Luckin, R., Seljeflot, S., & Woolard, A. (2006). Making it real: exploring the potential of augmented reality for teaching primary school science. Virtual Reality, 10 (3-4), 163-174.
30. Kesim, M., & Ozarslan, Y. (2012). Augmented reality in education: current technologies and the potential for education. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 47, 297- 302.
31. Kim, J. S., & Lee, T. S. (2016). Designing and exploring the possibility science contents based on augmented reality for students with intellectual disability. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 16(1), 720-733.
32. Klopfer, E., & Squire, K. (2008). Environmental detectives: the development of an augmented reality platform for environmental simulations. Educational Technology Research and Development, 56(2), 203–228.
33. Kozma, R. B. (1994). Will media influence learning? Reframing the debate. Educational Technology Research and Development, 42(2), 7-19.
34. Kye, B., & Kim, Y. (2008). Investigation of the relationships between media characteristics, presence, flow, and learning effects in augmented reality based learning. International Journal for Education Media and Technology, 2(1), 4-14.
35. Lamanauskas, V., Pribeanu, C., Vilkonis, R., Balog, A., Iordache, D., & Klangauskas, A. (2007, July). Evaluating the educational value and usability of an augmented reality platform for school environments: some preliminary results. Proceedings of 4th WSEAS/IASME International Conference on Engineering Education, Agios Nikolaos, Crete Island, Greece.
36. Lee, H., Cha, S. A., & Kwon, H. N. (2016). Study on the effect of augmented reality contents-based instruction for adult learners on academic achievement, interest and flow. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 16(1), 424-437.
37. Liarokapis, F., Petridis, P., Lister, P. F., & White, M. (2002). Multimedia augmented reality interface for e-learning (MARIE). World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, 1(2), 173-176.
38. Liarokapis, F., Mourkoussis, N., White, M., Darcy, J., Sifniotis, M., Petridis, P., Basu, A., & Lister, P. F. (2004). Web 3D and augmented reality to support engineering education. World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, 3(1), 1-4.
39. Lin, H. C. K., Chen, M. C., & Chang, C. K. (2015). Assessing the effectiveness of learning solid geometry by using an augmented reality-assisted learning system. Interactive Learning Environments, 23(6), 799-810.
40. Lin, T. J., Wang, H. Y., Duh, H. B. L., Tsai, C. C., & Liang, J. C. (2012, July). Behavioral Patterns and Learning Performance of Collaborative Knowledge Construction on an Augmented Reality System.), 12th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), Rome.
41. McKenzie, J., & Darnell, D. (2004). The eyeMagic book. A report into augmented reality storytelling in the context of a children’s workshop 2003. New Zealand Centre for Children’s Literature and Christchurch College of Education, Christchurch.
42. Nicholson, D.T., Chalk, C., Funnell, W. R. J., & Daniel, S. J. (2006). Can virtual reality improve anatomy education? A randomised controlled study of a computer-generated three-dimensional anatomical ear model. Medical Education, 40 (11), 1081-1087.
43. Núñez, M., Quiros, R., Núñez, I., Carda, J. B., Camahort, E. (2008). Collaborative augmented reality for inorganic chemistry education. Proceedings of the 5th WSEAS/IASME International Conference on Engineering Education (pp.271-277).
44. Park, K. O., Baek, J., Seo, S., & Lee (2016). Investigating preservice special education teachers' perceptions on applying augmented reality (AR) to special education and its presence factors affecting AR. The Journal of Special Education: Theory and Practice, 17(1), 189-207.
45. Redondo, E., Navarro, I., Sánchez Riera, A., Fonseca, D. (2012). Augmented reality on architectural and building engineering learning processes. Two Study Cases. Special Issue on Visual Interfaces and User Experience: New approaches, 1269–1279.
46. Rice, R. (2009). The augmented reality hype cycle. Retrieved from http://www.sprxmobile.com/the-augmented-reality-hype-cycle/
47. Sandor, C. & Klinker, G. (2005). A rapid prototyping software infrastructure for user interfaces in ubiquitous augmented reality. Pers Ubiquit Comput, 9, 169-185.
48. Saso, T., Iguchi, K., & Inakage, M. (2003). Little red: storytelling in mixed reality. SIGGRAPH Sketches and Applications, New York, USA.
49. Schmalstieg, D., Fuhrmann, A., Hesina, G., Szalavári, Z., Encarnaçäo, L. M., Gervautz, M., & Purgathofer, W. (2002). The studierstube augmented reality Project. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 11(1), 33-54.
50. Schmalstieg, D., Langlotz, T. and Billinghurst, M. (2011). Augmented Reality 2.0. Dagstuhl, Germany: Virtual Reality (pp. 13-37).
51. Shelton, B. E., & Hedley, N. R. (2002, September). Using augmented reality for teaching earth-sun relationships to undergraduate geography students. Paper presented at The First IEEE International Augmented Reality Toolkit Workshop, Darmstadt, Germany.
52. Singhal, S., Bagga, S., Goyal, P., & Saxena, V. (2012). Augmented chemistry: Interactive education system. International Journal of Computer Applications, 49(15), 1-5.
53. Stake, R. (1995). The art of case stud research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.
54. Sumadio, D. D. & Rambli, D. R. A. (2010). Preliminary evaluation on user acceptance of the augmented reality use for education. Second IEEE International Conference on Computer Engineering and Applications (pp. 461-465).
55. Tarng, W., Ou, K. L., Yu, C. S., Liou, F. L., & Liou, H. H. (2015). Development of a virtual butterfly ecological system based on augmented reality and mobile learning technologies. Virtual Reality, 19(3-4), 253-266.
56. Thomas, R. G., John, N. W., & Delieu, J. M. (2010). Augmented reality for anatomical education. Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, 33 (1), 6-15.
57. Wang, X., Kim, M. J., Love, P.E.D., Kang, S. C. (2013). Augmented Reality in built environment: Classification and implications for future research. Automation in Construction, 32, 1–13.
58. Wei, X., Weng, D., Liu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2015). Teaching based on augmented reality for a technical creative design course. Computers & Education, 81, 221-234.
59. 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.
60. Yeom, S. J. (2011, December). Augmented reality for learning anatomy. Proceedings Changing Demands, Changing Directions (pp. 1377-1383). Hobart, Tasmania.
61. Yoon, S. A., Elinich, K., Wang, J., Steinmeier, C., & Tucker, S. (2012). Using augmented reality and knowledge-building scaffolds to improve learning in a science museum. International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 7(4), 519-541.