AR in learning, creating deeper opportunities for discourse

This week, we had the privilege of participating in our second session with Te Pūkenga and Apple, helping with a program that's been launched to address the tech sector gap for Māori and Pasifika people in Aotearoa. A big thank you to Dila Beisembayeva and Glen Storey for getting us involved.

Chanelle Butters , Dipesh Trikam and myself connected with the amazing Kaiako/Teachers doing this program sharing our lived experiences on the topic of augmented reality (AR). Preparing for this session got us thinking about AR's role in enhancing discourse in the classroom and the workplace.

Augmented Reality (AR), a technology overlaying digital data on reality, can enhance how we teach and learn. By bringing stories to life, AR can serve as a conduit for deeper discourse in the classroom, grounding historical facts in context and opening avenues to imagine future possibilities.

Delving into the Past: Bringing Stories to Life

Consider lessons about the past. Traditional methods of instruction typically rely on textbooks, filled with pages of text and static images. While this format can certainly impart information, it doesn't always evoke inward reactions or stimulate the imaginations of students.

Example: “Time Looper” App: This app offers a series of AR-driven historical recreations at various global landmarks. For instance, at the Tower of London, users can witness the execution of Anne Boleyn, while in New York City, they can experience the construction of the iconic Statue of Liberty.

Example: Ngā Atua Māori AR Experience launched back in 2021 an interactive way of telling the ancient Māori creation story. The Ngā Atua Māori AR experience brought to life the 3D animated characters that represent five of the Māori gods and told their stories through an AR world effect.

Example: Dataverse, a little experiment we've been working on focussed around giving meaning to a space and helping tell the stories behind the naming of spaces across our offices.

This kind of immersive learning extends stories beyond mere facts, making them memorable, evocative and most importantly creating meaning.

This can lead to deeper discourse. For instance, students & colleagues might discuss:

- The socio-political implications

- Lessons and learnings from the past

- Comparisons with modern-day entertainment

- Architectural achievements and their influence on contemporary design

Immersing ourselves into todays world: Bringing Concepts to Life

Many educators and colleagues I've spoken with express challenges in conveying abstract concepts. AR offers a solution by serving as a conduit turning these complexities into tangible, interactive visuals.

Example: Merge Cube a hands-on digital learning platform that helps students learn science and STEM effectively with 3D objects and simulations

Example: Look Up Campaign, is an AR initiative encouraging users to recognise the benefits of being present and observant. Through the app, art trails and city landmarks in Sheffield come alive with displays of artistry from renowned artists, studios, and producers, spotlighting the city's vibrant creative pulse.

These tangible interactions can foster deeper comprehension and, in turn, more insightful discussions about everything from genetics, how things actually work, to company policies, wellbeing and biotechnologies.?So really limitless.

Crafting Futures: Imagining Tomorrow's World

While AR's prowess in illuminating the past is undeniable, its potential to let learners shape and visualise future possibilities is equally compelling.

Ikea Place App: While not a "future" in the sci-fi sense, Ikea uses AR to preview the future of one's home. With the app, users can virtually place furniture in their space to see how it will look. This gives a tangible glimpse into potential future arrangements of their living space.

Example: Mission to Mars AR lets visitors walk on Mars and interact with real-life sites that the Curiosity rover has explored. It showcases future space exploration possibilities and gives users a glimpse into what astronauts might experience on Mars.

Example: Consider a lesson on sustainable urban planning. Through AR, learners can design cities, integrating renewable energy solutions, green transportation, and advanced infrastructure. They can then virtually traverse these cities, identify challenges, and propose solutions. Such an activity not only nurtures creativity but also spurs debates on sustainability, technology's role, and societal impacts.

To this end here's a great example of one of our partners Melanie Langlotz and the Geo AR team using AR frames showcasing the wetlands in the City of Canning, teaching visitors about?environmental science and the positive impact on the future it's having

Engaging with such AR models can stimulate discussions on:

- How technology will shape our future.

- Ethical considerations in these developments

- Predictions for future societal trends and needs

The Discursive Edge of AR

AR extends stories in ways traditional pedagogy often can't. By grounding abstract or distant concepts in tangible experiences, it triggers richer learning discourse. Whether it's clarifying complex historical events or brainstorming solutions to futuristic scenarios, AR serves as a bridge between the known and the unknown, the fact and the imagined.

In Conclusion

As educators and storytellers, aiming to ignite curiosity and critical thinking, AR doesn't feel like just another tool. It can help revitalise historical narratives and illuminate potential futures, sparking discourse and discovery for learners.

So how are you considering its integration into your educational approach?