Learning supported with AR technology enables ubiquitous, collaborative and situated learning”
- Perfect Med Educ.
Visualization
Allows visualization of invisible, helping students to examine the visual in 3D. Visualization with interactive application allows students to examine human anatomy and symptoms like never before.
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Feedback
Students can take control of their learning with interactive AR applications that provide immediate feedback. Students can learn anytime, anywhere.
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Scale Learning
Human anatomy is very complex, which cannot be examined simply looking at 2D pictures. With AR, students can examine human anatomy in microscopic scale (in 3D) aiding them in spatial awareness and increasingly realistic training.
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Control
Students can access the AR application without needing an instructor all the time. With various apps in medical training field, students can choose a specific anatomical part to train and master, for example, without needing cadaver or being at workplace.
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Benefits of AR in Science Education
At its foundation, science is a problem solving subject that requires complex and investigative work to understand the often interconnected processes involved in the learning topic.
AR is the ideal technology for science instruction because it's design and functionality allows for 3D and 4D investigative problem solving. Put simply, AR allows students to explore abstract concepts, systems, and processes in new immersive, engaging ways. Studies have shown that the use of AR in formal educational settings has resulted in increased academic performance, increased motivation, increased content engagement, and increased content retention (Goff et. al., 2018). Additional studies have shown that AR tools are more effective for low achieving students and that students in general are excited about using AR (Cai et al., 2014). |
Potential Barriers to AR Adoption
Cost. Right now, AR is mostly used by medium to large businesses that can afford the investment of $1,000-$3,000 per employee for AR wearables and customized software. But that could change. With the inevitable drop in device hardware prices, AR will become a justifiable technology for many workplaces and educational institutions to adopt.
Usability. Current VR/AR headsets are bulky, challenging to focus, and are limited by wiring and the need to be 'plugged in'. Wearable AR should be wireless and comfortable to allow users easy and safe movement. AR programs use a lot of power, so the batteries must be durable and quickly recharged.
Motion sickness/headaches. While this is a bigger problem for VR, AR users can experience nausea, dizziness and other symptoms, which may make the learning/training experience for some uncomfortable. Due to the immersive nature of these technologies, an adjustment period is expected and should be incorporated into any technology adoption training programs.
Employee reluctance. Some employees may be skeptical of AR - or concerned that its adoption could lead to a job loss (Kroc, 2017). Employer education will be critical in the integration of AR into workplaces, in order to highlight its benefits and how it will assist employees improving their own job performance and efficiency.
Adoption for the sake of adoption. AR must be justified as required, otherwise users averse to change may be reluctant to do so. Highlighting which paint points it can help address, and employee education (explaining why it's been adopted) will assist in this transition.
Usability. Current VR/AR headsets are bulky, challenging to focus, and are limited by wiring and the need to be 'plugged in'. Wearable AR should be wireless and comfortable to allow users easy and safe movement. AR programs use a lot of power, so the batteries must be durable and quickly recharged.
Motion sickness/headaches. While this is a bigger problem for VR, AR users can experience nausea, dizziness and other symptoms, which may make the learning/training experience for some uncomfortable. Due to the immersive nature of these technologies, an adjustment period is expected and should be incorporated into any technology adoption training programs.
Employee reluctance. Some employees may be skeptical of AR - or concerned that its adoption could lead to a job loss (Kroc, 2017). Employer education will be critical in the integration of AR into workplaces, in order to highlight its benefits and how it will assist employees improving their own job performance and efficiency.
Adoption for the sake of adoption. AR must be justified as required, otherwise users averse to change may be reluctant to do so. Highlighting which paint points it can help address, and employee education (explaining why it's been adopted) will assist in this transition.