AR in Edtech

01 Nov

Traditional methods of education are becoming a thing of the past.

They are becoming increasingly digitized driven by technological innovations. In fact, the education technology (Edtech) industry is expected to reach $680.1 billion by 2027, growing at an annual rate of 17.9%.

As the numbers depict, AR or Augmented Reality is all set to dominate various industries in the coming future. Though this technology has not grown fully, yet it has proved its usefulness and importance in many sectors affecting our day-to-day lives. From games to surgical procedures to social media, you can find AR applications everywhere.

It’s no secret, kids are eager adopters of groundbreaking technologies like AR. Some of the most ingenious augmented reality education apps are made for the youngest of users.

Inspired by the success of PokemonGo, AR vendors are building apps that change the ways children read books, look at art and posters, learn science, and conduct classroom lab experiments.

For example, the NarratorAR app teaches children aged 3-5 how to write in a fun and engaging manner. The app enhances letters they write with captivating special effects and makes handwriting a truly exciting experience.

But what does AR do in education?

AR or Augmented Reality is one of the hottest trends in the edtech industry. AR in education can serve a number of purposes. It helps students to easily acquire, process, and remember the information. Also, it makes learning itself more engaging and fun.

It is also not limited to a single age group or level of education and can be used equally well in all levels of schooling; from pre-school education up to college, or even at work

How does AR exactly work in education?

Augmented reality enhances the real-world environment with text, sound effects, graphics, and multimedia. In other words, AR brings us an enriched version of our immediate surroundings by layering digital content on top of the graphic representation of the real world.

Probably, the most popular application for augmented reality 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 practice.

Namely, you can find an AR app for almost any subject, including chemistry, geometry, zoology, grammar, and even programming.

AR has transformed the previous version of studying in which the teachers would just read out the chapters and explain through images or videos. This was quite boring for students due to which they were not eager to learn something new.

AR has and will keep transforming the Edtech industry

In the next few years, the majority of the global population will be experiencing a technological breakthrough.

Billions of children will be born in the technological era, exposed to computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other smart gadgets naturally. Some children may even experience smart homes and will interact with several voice assistants.

AR will play a key role in making learning efficient, easier to understand, fast, and more fun. From biology to mathematics to physics and even understanding all the chemical interactions in chemistry will be easier.

Though this technology requires further developments, you know what, it still serves various benefits and can be used for various purposes as well.

Benefits of AR in education

  • Accessible learning materials - It offers portable and less expensive learning materials. As a result, education becomes more accessible and mobile.
  • Higher student engagement and interest - It keeps them engaged throughout the lesson and makes learning fun and effortless.
  • A faster and more effective learning process - It helps students in achieving better results through visualization and full immersion in the subject matter.
  • Practical learning - Apart from schooling, professional training can also benefit greatly from the use of AR. For example, accurate reproduction of in-field conditions can help master the practical skills required for a certain job.
  • Safe and efficient workplace training - Imagine being able to practice in heart surgery or operating a space shuttle without putting other people in danger or risking millions of dollars in damage if something goes wrong. It is possible with AR.
  • Universally applicable to any level of education and training - Be it learning games for kindergarten or on-the-job training, AR isn’t limited to only one use case or field of application.

Is AR shaping the future of Education and learning?

The statement “AR is as revolutionizing as we think it is” is backed by strong facts. This supporting pillar of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 has grown relentlessly with the global AR landscape expected to be worth $198 billion by 2025.

Similar research into the subject forecasts Augmented Reality gaining 1 billion worldwide users by the end of 2021. Humans are on an ongoing, fast-track course to make all aspects of life, be it professional or personal, multi-dimensional.

AR is already being used to help businesses understand and manipulate large amounts of data. The same could be done in education allowing students to step inside abstract concepts, understand historical facts, simulate hypothetical tests, or manipulate complex information. Within schools, Math Alive is one software development that is already using AR to engage students.

Imagine biology lessons that allow students to peel away the skin of a body and discover all the parts beneath while the heart continues to pump blood through the veins. How about User Experience (UX) Design technology lessons where students can create their own prototype using AR? This would create an eagerness to learn in students as well.

Wrapping it up!

Augmented Reality can bring a breakthrough to the traditional education system by transforming the complete learning experience.

As we can see, augmented reality in education has enormous potential, which is still to be uncovered. With the current adoption of mobile technologies and the recent advances in hardware, AR is becoming more accessible and broadly used.

Therefore, right now might be a good time to make the first steps in this direction. Otherwise, you risk missing out on the chance to win your market share.

Yet, AR app development is no easy task. It requires a certain set of skills as well as hands-on experience building similar products. We at ILLUMINZ have the expertise and skills to help you.