How can you use AR to teach geography concepts?

1 How AR works for geography

AR works for geography by allowing learners to see and interact with different places, features, and phenomena without leaving their classroom or home. For example, you can use AR apps or devices to show learners how volcanoes erupt, how glaciers move, how continents drift, or how cultures vary across regions. You can also use AR to create virtual field trips, where learners can explore landmarks, landscapes, and locations in 3D. AR can help learners develop spatial awareness, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world.

2 Benefits of AR for geography

Augmented Reality (AR) has many advantages for geography education, such as making learning more engaging and motivating through realistic and immersive experiences. It also supports different learning styles and preferences with visual, auditory, and kinesthetic options. Additionally, AR enhances understanding and retention with feedback, scaffolding, and reinforcement. It also fosters creativity and collaboration by allowing learners to create and share their own AR content. Finally, it promotes inquiry and discovery by encouraging learners to ask questions, investigate, and experiment.

3 Challenges of AR for geography

AR poses some challenges for geography education, such as requiring access to suitable devices, apps, and internet connection which may not be available or affordable for all learners and educators. It can also cause technical issues, glitches, or distractions which may affect the quality and continuity of learning. Additionally, it may pose ethical, privacy, or safety risks such as exposing personal information, manipulating data, or harming the environment. Furthermore, it may create a gap between reality and perception by creating unrealistic expectations, biases, or stereotypes.

4 Best practices for AR for geography

To maximize the benefits of AR for geography education and overcome the challenges, it is important to choose relevant, reliable, and user-friendly AR apps or devices. Furthermore, it is beneficial to integrate AR with other learning resources and methods, such as maps, books, videos, or discussions. Providing clear instructions, guidance, and support for learners and educators on how to use AR effectively and responsibly is also important. Assessing and evaluating the learning outcomes and feedback of AR activities is also necessary. Lastly, encouraging learners to reflect on their AR experiences and connect them to their real-world contexts and interests can be beneficial.

5 Examples of AR for geography

Using AR technology, there are many apps and devices available to help teach geography concepts. Google Expeditions, for instance, allows users to join virtual field trips to various places around the world using 360-degree images and videos. GeoGebra is another app that lets users explore and create geometric shapes, graphs, and models in 3D. Atlas Obscura is an app that enables users to discover and learn about hidden and unusual places and stories around the world. WWF Free Rivers gives users the ability to see and manipulate how rivers flow, affect ecosystems, and support communities. Earth AR is an app that enables users to view and rotate the Earth in 3D, learning about its geography, climate, and history.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?