Reality shows that pupils have a poor spatial awareness despite the importance of the knowledge of this: pupils don’t understand the 2D-models (building plans, electronic plans) schools work with. As pupils grow up in a 3D-world they don’t often fully understand a concept when they have to work in 2D. By using 3D-technology – such as Augmented Reality (AR) – pupils can get a new perspective on often quite abstract scientific concepts by which their spatial awareness skills will be developed. Compared to Virtual Reality a lot of AR-application can be run on devices most people own, without extra costs. This makes AR very attractive for education.
The partnership will work on the innovative implementation of Augmented Reality in STEM-education, focussing on vulnerable learners. By using AR in VET-education students will improve their spatial awareness and learning pleasure will increase.
To be sure AR will be used in a proper way, the partnership will professionalize teachers in different ways and convince school leaders to integrate AR in their school organization by a policy document. Surveys with the sustain of a university will demonstrate the advantages of AR in education. After the three year SAVLAR-project documents, experiences, dissemination activities etc. will be an example and help for many other schools in Europe to start with AR in education. A toolbox with developed AR-lessons with apps on the one hand and with the HoloLens on the other hand will be useful as an inspiration and help for schools, who want to start with AR.
With the SAVLAR-project different outputs are aimed, especially focused on mathematics, sciences and techniques. As AR is quite new, the partners chose to start gradually with these subjects as they lend themselves as ideal subjects for implementation:
- implement existing AR-applications and AR-glasses in STEM-education (you can find an AR app for almost any subject).
- sustain vulnerable learners – close the gap
- professionalize teachers in different ways in using AR as a powerful didactical tool in the classroom
- develop, test and exchange good didactical practices of AR, ready to use
The strength of the partnership is the experience in different spaces of the SAVLAR-project.
Augmented Reality (AR) includes virtual elements that interact with what already exists. It is a virtual layer put above reality. Also in other subjects than technology, AR can help in the learning process. Probably, the most popular application for AR in education is the use of AR apps directly in the classroom. In this case, they can help the teacher explain a subject, provide a visual representation of the material, and help students test out their knowledge in spatial awareness.
As AR puts a virtual skin above reality, we believe it has many opportunities for education:
- AR has the potential to replace paper textbooks, physical models, printed manuals… It offers portable and less expensive learning materials. As a result, education becomes greener and more accessible and mobile.
- AR doesn’t require any expensive hardware. Because about 70% of all teens currently own a smartphone, AR technologies are immediately available for use for the majority of the target audience.
- Interactive, gamified AR learning can have a significant positive impact on students. It keeps them engaged throughout the lesson and makes learning fun and effortless.
- AR apps offer vast opportunities to diversify and shake up boring classes. Interactive lessons, where all students are involved in the learning process at the same time, help improve teamwork skills.
- AR in education helps students achieve better results through visualization and full immersion in the subject matter.
- Apart from schooling, professional training can also benefit greatly from the use of AR.
- AR isn’t limited to only one use case or field of application.
The use of AR in education is very innovative and progressive as the principle of Augmented Reality is quite new itself. The advantage of using AR in education will be huge as students can learn even outside the classroom. Online or distance learning can be easier and more efficient with AR-aided educational materials. For that reason the project will introduce, implement and improve adjusted AR-principles in European education and convince school leaders to implement it within their schools by giving them a framework. As we realize that something new scares people to start with it, we will introduce the use of AR systematically. As a start we will work with existing apps where AR can be used. The use of apps is free and can be used also in distance learning. In a final phase, when teachers and school management is convinced about the advantages of AR, we will introduce the HoloLens as a tool to use AR. Once schools bought the HoloLens it’s important to mention that further use and content is totally free! This increases the feasibility of using the HoloLens in education. During the project the possibilities of other AR-glasses will be mentioned too.