How can AR make learning more interactive?

Augmented Reality is the ability to overlay digital information on top of the real world. Keep in mind that this doesn't always mean visually! You can integrate digital data over the real world via audio cues, sensory data from haptic devices, and now with advanced eye tracking, even a glance from the user conveys meaning to the experience and is used as an interaction. As we move towards the Spatial Computing era with Apple's upcoming Vision Pro launch, it's important to keep in mind the terminology we've used prior.

Another way to think about augmented reality is that it is a technology that gives computers the ability to perceive the world around it (through sensors and machine learning), which in turn allows it to edit our perception of the world (via a display or projection).

AR is characterized by three fundamental features: 1. Mixing Real and Virtual Worlds: AR seamlessly combines what's real with what's computer-generated, enriching our surroundings with digital information. 2. Real-Time Interaction: It enables us to interact with these digital additions in real-time, allowing for dynamic and responsive experiences. 3. Accurate 3D Integration: AR precisely aligns virtual objects with the real world, ensuring they appear as if they truly belong in our environment.

AR isn't just a cool feature; it's a transformative tool that integrates digital data into our real-world experiences. In my work, I am building a startup that uses AI to enhance reality by enabling real-time, context-aware data overlays for ocean researchers. Our AI algorithms can quickly analyze a researcher’s environment and display only the most crucial information. This is an advancement that can only come from the agility and innovation that startups bring. So, AR isn't just about adding a layer of digital information; with AI, it's about making that information smarter, more relevant, and ultimately, more impactful.

AR = See what you generally see with something extra. Think of enjoying the beauty of a flower with your naked eyes. With AR technology, you will get to see what flower it is, its origin, and also where can you get one for your dearest one. Also mark the place where you first saw it ! AR mostly depends on Camera sensor, enhanced by multiple other sensors, such as GPS, Accelerometer, Gyro. Using camera to detect an object or location, make a 3D representation at real-time, then place 3D or 2D items in that 3D space, and finally overlay it on real-world. You can interact and move around the placed items by "physically moving around them". As 3D items can be locked to real object, by moving the real object 3D objects can be moved too.

I feel AR can revolutionize the way we teach or learn. The 3D view is way better than at least 2D, though 3D might not be 100% accurate but the user can get a proper idea of how it will be in the real world. It can help us to visualize concepts of biology, physics, chemistry, and almost everything (depends on our creativity).

We can watch how chemical reactions occur in a video, but only with the help of AR we can conduct experiments ourselves. Visualization alone is not enough to skyrocket the knowledge. It's important to activate all modes of perception by including interaction mechanics and narration/voiceover. This will change the learner from an observer to an active participant of the educational process. As a creator of AR books for kids, we always use such a multisensorial approach, and the feedback is perfect both from kids and parents.

To my understanding and the kind of AR Projects executed I feel personally AR is yet another Medium to convey user stories whether it is an educational topic, Field Guide Assistance or even a game. Now when it comes to question of Visualising in AR it is all about how Creativity is getting married to Immersive tech tools by considering key elements like 1. User Experience design for the Theme. 2. UI, 2D 3D, Audio etc . to put the user into immersive experience. Thanks Kgb

As the old adage goes, “a picture tells a thousand words” then, when we add the third dimension (3D), that depth of story becomes 1,000 x 1,000 words giving us a one million word essay and hence better describing the subject being studied. Here’s the kicker; Layering AR over 3D hones in on the studies subject giving the receiver of the AR content a summary of the million word story. Heavily analogous yes, but given learning goal-outcomes, quite rapidly with AR, concepts can be grasped using greater visual power.

Augmented Reality can help visualize and communicate interactively for a variety of concepts including: - Education: Simplifies complex subjects with animated textbooks. - Design/Architecture: Aids real-time design adjustments. - Healthcare: Enhances surgical precision with 3D scans. - Manufacturing: Improves assembly efficiency and quality. - Retail: Elevates online shopping with product previews. - Navigation: Simplifies routes and enhances safety. - Entertainment: Immersive gaming blurs virtual and real worlds. - Training: Realistic simulations for military, aviation, and industry. - Marketing: Engaging ads with interactive product experiences. - Data Visualization: Renders complex data for informed decisions.

We are 3D beings living in a 3D world but yet msot of our learning is done using 2D mediums. Augmented Reality (and Virtual Reality) enable a more intuitive way for learning that is more akin to how we experience the world. Therefore it has the ability to educate through experience and simulation rather which can be quite active in nature rather than watching or reading or listening which are more passive methods of knowledge transfer.

AR can be very engaging when combined with a good storytelling using 3D interactive characters. An example of how AR storytelling can increase attainment and engagement is NUSHU, an AR series about current affairs linking news to the educational curriculum. NUSHU was the name of the main character, an extraterrestrial trying to understand Humans who prompted the help of students to do so. Children could interact with the AR character and they could also play AR games linked to each theme. NUSHU got recognition as one of the most innovative educational solutions in Finland in 2017.

How cool was it when i first made a crown shape ring in 3D space, amazing. How cool was it when i could add them on all the heads that my camera could detect. absolutely amazing ! Having difficulties understanding foreign language in foreign countries, AR to the rescue ! Use camera to get a real-time translated text in your language over the foreign language, that stays in that 3D space! Curious about how tall giraffes are ? watch a life size 3D representation right in front of you. Going through a boring walkthrough ! AR can enhance the experience by bringing Past and Future to the present at once. Its the next step of smart learning.

Engaging learning experiences begin as good user experiences. By creating a seamless digital world via AR, and allowing your learners to engage with the world in new ways, you can transport users out of the routine of learning into the wonder of immersive experiences. Think more like Ms. Frizzle and have learning experiences that your users can touch and discover organically, imagine an AR experience that when you look at a plant, is able to recognize, using machine learning, that species and you are able to scroll through it's life cycle from seed to flowering while data about it's taxonomy and uses floats around it. Magic.

AR engages learners through: Gamification: Incorporating points, badges, levels, and challenges for rewards, making learning enjoyable and competitive. Immersive Experiences: Creating interactive stories or scenarios like solving mysteries, exploring museums, or virtual travel, enhancing engagement. Personalization: Tailoring content and pace to individual preferences, needs, and goals, optimizing the learning experience. Interactivity: Allowing hands-on exploration and manipulation of virtual objects, fostering active participation and understanding. Feedback and Guidance: Providing real-time feedback and guidance, helping learners track progress and improve. AR transforms education motivating learners to explore and learn effectively.

Augmented Reality (AR) can provide feedback to users through various sensory channels and interactive methods. Visual Overlays: AR can superimpose visual elements, such as text, icons, or animations, onto the user's view of the real world to provide information or guidance. For example, it can display arrows to indicate the direction to follow or highlight objects of interest. Color Changes: AR can change the color or appearance of objects to indicate their status or provide feedback. For instance, it can highlight a faulty machine part in red or turn it green when it's functioning correctly. The choice of feedback method in AR depends on the specific application and the user's needs.

Additional ways AR can provide feedback: Progress Tracking: Displaying a visual progress bar or percentage completed to help learners gauge their advancement. Peer Comparison: Showing how a learner's performance compares to peers, fostering competition and motivation. Real-time Assessments: Conducting quizzes or assessments within AR experiences, offering instant feedback on knowledge and comprehension. Performance Analytics: Providing detailed data and statistics on a learner's strengths and areas needing improvement. These methods empower learners to track their progress, adapt their approach, and stay motivated throughout their educational journey using AR.

AR can provide feedback in real-time, offering users valuable information and guidance across various applications. In educational contexts, it can instantly assess and correct students' work, offering explanations and suggestions when they make mistakes. For example, in language learning, AR apps can listen to and evaluate pronunciation, correcting errors and providing tips for improvement. In professional training, AR can offer step-by-step instructions overlaid on real-world tasks, ensuring that users follow the correct procedures and giving immediate feedback if they deviate from the correct path. By delivering timely and relevant feedback, AR enhances learning, performance, and overall user experience.

Visual feedback: AR can overlay digital images or information on the real world, allowing users to immediately see reactions to their actions. For example, when teaching medical skills, AR can show whether a student is performing a certain procedure correctly. Haptic feedback: While AR itself does not provide haptic feedback, it can be integrated with devices that do. Audio feedback: AR applications can provide audio feedback that helps users understand whether they are performing an action correctly. Interactive feedback: Users can interact with digital objects in augmented reality, allowing them to receive feedback based on how those objects react to their actions.

Similar to VR, AR allows creators to put the user into new scenarios that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive or impossible to replicate. The best part of AR is that it can guide the user through the scenario, imagine an AR user tutorial to learn how to operate heavy machinery where the user is able to follow along with highlighted buttons or levers that would otherwise be much harder to replicate the muscle memory for.

Much like VR, AR has the capability to create scenarios that offer good feedback when things are not done right. For example, a VR company called Strivr designed an immersive training program for a beverage distributor wherein employees are tasked with stocking of boxes as they arrive via a conveyor belt into the back of a truck, receiving feedback in case of mistakes. This identical scenario can transition to AR, offering a rich visual learning experience that's both engaging and informative. Studies have shown that when you learn with your eyes, your ears, and even your hands, you may be learning and remembering in a more complete way.

Content creation remains a significant hurdle for the advancement of AR. Authoring AR scenarios typically requires specialized skills and is extremely time consuming, leading many artists and content creators to abandon their efforts. As a result, AR specialists-who may not be the best-suited for content creation-often end up designing AR experiences. To overcome this limitation, user-friendly, robust authoring tools that can empower a broader range of individuals to create compelling AR content should be provided. Easier content creation would lead to more engaging and higher-quality apps for the general public, potentially accelerating AR's adoption. If history is an indication, AR should evolve in a manner similar to Web technology.

Augmented Reality (AR) can create scenarios by overlaying digital content onto the real-world environment, effectively blending the virtual and physical worlds to construct immersive and interactive experiences. Here's how AR can be used to create scenarios: Content Generation: Digital Assets: Develop or acquire digital assets such as 3D models, animations, images, videos, and text that are relevant to the scenario you want to create. Interactive Elements: Design interactive elements, like buttons, triggers, or markers, that users can interact with to initiate or progress through the scenario. Spatial Mapping: Use AR technology to scan and map the physical environment where the scenario will take place.

Training and instructions: AR can create training scenarios where users follow step-by-step instructions. Games and Entertainment: In games, AR creates interactive scenarios where players can interact with digital objects in the real world, such as catching Pokémon in "Pokémon GO." Modeling and design: Architects and interior designers can use AR to create scenarios of interior and exterior spaces. Historical reenactment: AR can be used to recreate historical events or places for educational and cultural purposes. Marketing and advertising: Brands can create interactive advertising campaigns using AR, immersing consumers in scenarios related to a product or service.

Augmented Reality can be a magical experience for children in classrooms to engage with content that sweeps them off to locations, time periods, events, and can surface animals, people, geology and more in a way that feels delightful. It enhances classroom curriculum in a way that gets kids up, active, and hands on with the content. A real challenge to consider is that children in underserved communities do not have access to individual devices and broadband in the classroom. It’s important to consider if your project will be a shared or personal experience and if your audience would benefit from a low-bandwidth option.

Benefits of AR in education: - Improves student engagement and interest. - Facilitates complex concepts. - Enriches hands-on experiences. - Increases motivation and participation. - Improves interaction and collaboration. - AR challenges in education: Challenges: - Technical difficulties. - High cost of equipment. - Lack of quality content. - Possible privacy issues. - Distractions and information overload.

Augmented Reality proves to be a valuable asset in education, simplifying the understanding of complex subjects by offering visual learning and personalized experiences. It can act as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications by immersing students in real scenarios and problem-solving challenges. Cost is one of the challenges associated with AR in education. Schools and institutions may need to invest in hardware and software, which might not be feasible for everyone.

AR applications that aim to enchance, not only our visual perception but also our odor or taste, are still very rare. Mostly due to equipment limitations. But for years, we have only achieved to transfer experiences that were focused only on visual and audio. But as human beings, we percieve the world around us in a much more complicated way than just hearing or watching. In order to Augment our Reality, we need to focus on all 5 of the human senses.