Augmented Reality Solutions In Education & Training by Zionext

What is Augmented Reality (AR)?

Augmented Reality is an immersive technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a rich composite view objects that exist in the real-world are augmented by virtual objects or supplement with information. AR can be used to enhance the learning experience of students by providing them with an immersive and engaging environment.

Why Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality has been found to be more effective in engaging students as compared to traditional methods of teaching. With AR, students are able to interact with virtual objects and learn in a more immersive and stimulating environment. In addition, AR can also help to improve student's comprehension and retention of information.

Strategic Benefits of AR Development

Creates unique customer experiences

The most significant advantage of AR is that it creates unique digital experiences that merge the best of both worlds - physical and digital. It does not require any specialized hardware or software to enjoy it. Most people use smartphones and mobile apps to experience AR. The most recent advancements in AR have allowed for immersive experiences using just a web browser.

So, what are the most important distinctions between AR experiences and other types of entertainment? Most of the audio-visual activities that we are familiar with exist in one world or the other. While the activities could be engaging, it is still a passive consumption of the information. For one thing, augmented reality mixes both realities together. It generates a false appearance by layering digital components on top of physical ones, creating a mirage effect.

Imagine being able to experience all your favourite learning contents, from the safety and comfort of home and these experiences can be brought into reality with just one touch! With AR apps you can now immerse in both physical surroundings as well as digital information simultaneously.

It eliminates cognitive overload

When we talk about cognitive overload, it's important to understand that this happens when your working memory is made to process huge loads of information at one single time. Augmented Reality offers a viable avenue to reduce cognitive overload and improve comprehension when used in an education setting. By providing an interactive learning environment, AR can help students retain more information and better understand complex concepts through layered visualisation of the real-world object and digital artefacts. It also has the potential to help students learn more effectively in a variety of settings.

Improve user engagement

AR was originally characterized as a technology for entertainment and gaming. However, it has evolved into a technology that provides significant business benefits over time. One of such benefit is improvement of user engagement.

User engagement is beneficial for businesses in many ways and it can indirectly lead to more spending, enhance brand loyalty and more. The challenge here is serving the right message at the right time to users who will likely engage with it.

AR can be utilized in a variety of ways to improve user engagement; e.g. offering discount coupons, showing satisfied customers’ feedback, etc. The technology's appeal combined with its ability to provide information in a quick and snackable format makes it engaging for consumers.

Competitive differentiation

In a market where all competitors are offering similar products or services within the same price range, it is essential for companies to set themselves apart.

Augmented Reality will help them go further with creative campaigns that will position them differently. It is also helpful for businesses to understand how AR can help customers visualize the product or service they are trying to sell. Many companies are still in the experimental phase when it comes to using AR in their marketing campaigns, but the successes that have been seen so far demonstrate that this is a worthwhile endeavour.

Uses of AR

Education

AR is becoming increasingly sought after in schools, particularly for assisting kids with advanced or challenging to understand topics. The possibilities of augmented reality in education are endless. Here are some of the educational applications that are able to utilize AR to enhance the overall learning experience.

Mathematics

The use of 3D interactive content in math programs can help teachers develop captivating and educational math content that piques students' interest, allowing them to achieve academic success. For example, students can scan a math problem from a physical worksheet, and the AR application is able to virtually walk them through calculation stages using animation. AR can also be used to teach math concepts through visualization and interactive 3D models.

Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Teachers can utilize AR to make learning about science more intriguing through interactive teaching. For example, a student can scan a DNA strand and view the 3D helix structure. The ability to interact with virtual objects in an educational setting can assist students to better grasp difficult concepts. It can also assist students in comprehending complicated compounds like acids and oxides.

Medicine

AR's potential in medical training is enormous. It provides medical students with the opportunity to watch live surgeries, superimposed with digital assets, in real-time. AR also allows the medical students to better learn the human anatomical structure as the technology allows digital animation to be layered. This visualisation greatly enhances students’ understanding of the complex human body.

Training

In workplaces, augmented reality can improve both trainees and experienced employees' learning and comprehension.

Engagement

People learn best by doing, which is why AR offers a chance for employees to learn in a structured, interactive way. AR allows learners to practice real-time job functions using physical equipment in a fail-safe environment at their own pace and without any external pressures.

Safety

Some professions are inherently dangerous, and training for them can be equally so. New employees can repeatedly practice these operations, without putting themselves in danger or risk of injuring themselves, until they gain competency.

Training Costs

The initial expenditures for AR implementation and training equipment might be significant, but the equipment is reusable and most of the people already have their own hardware in the form of a mobile phone. The AR content can be reused multi times throughout its lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can the development of AR be useful in education training?

There are a variety of ways in which AR can be used in education. One way is by using it to provide additional information, animate the artefacts, or providing step-by-step guidance.

Register for a free consultation

If you are interested in AR development for education or training, please get in touch with us. We would be happy to discuss your requirements and provide you with a tailored solution that meets your needs.