Augmented Reality

   Imagine yourself marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Imagine walking on the moon with Neil Armstrong.  Imagine fighting next to General Eisenhower.   Imagine being in Shakespeare's theater with him!  How much better would you understand what has happened in those situations by being there and not just reading about it in a text book.  With augmented reality it's a possibility. Augmented reality is a technology that allows one to experience a real world environment that is computer generated.  We may not physically be able to go everywhere on earth or travel back in time but we can be transported there through the magic of augmented reality.

   In the research article Enhancing Education Through Mobile Augmented Reality, Joan explores how augmented reality can enhance education.  He points out ways that we already use augmented reality.  From the navigation system in our cars to wearable technologies we have this technology available to us.  So why not use it in education?  "Text, graphics, video and audio can be supplemented into a student’s real time environment.  Textbooks, flashcards and other educational reading material can contain embedded "markers" which are when scanned by an AR device, produce supplementary information to the student rendered in a multimedia format." (Joan, 2015, 10-11).  In other words, a student can scan a code and be virtually transported to a different time and experience what it was like as if they were really there.  Supplemental videos can be viewed that will enhance the written word in their text.  Any type of extra information or experiences can be added to enhance learning.  What a great way to engage students!

   Because I am a career tech teacher I looked for some ways that it could be used in career and technical education.  Health care students could see inside the human body.  Welding students could simulate welding an underwater oil rig.  Public safety students could experience what it would be like in a burning building as they rescue someone who is trapped.  In my area, hospitality and tourism, I could take my students on virtual field trips as we explore the inner workings of a cruise ship or professional sports stadiums.  

   Joan concluded that augmented reality enhances education.  I totally agree.  The real world enhancement of education should produce more engaged learners as they experience education in a way no one has ever been able to before.

Joan, D. R. (2015). Enhancing Education through Mobile Augmented Reality. Journal Of Educational Technology, 11(4), 8-14.