The Other Side of Reality - The Future of Learning

Imagine living in a world like Part III of Back to the Future with hover boards, Nike Power laces and dehydrated pizzas. Imagine living in the world of Harry Potter with dragons and interactive paintings. Imagine if you could drop holograms and graphics into your office space or onto the city street. Well, no need to imagine because the time has come!

We believe that Augmented Reality (AR) is changing the way we see the world and it creates limitless opportunities. AR has been rapidly growing and can tap into a range of motives: entertainment, information sharing, creativity and even education.

What exactly is AR you may ask? “Augmented Reality is using technology to superimpose information on the world we see. For example, images and sounds are superimposed over what the user sees and hears” (Live Science, 2016). Think, the Matrix or Star Wars style in terms of holograms and interactivity. In short, users can hold a device up to an object or image and trigger a response in the form of AR.

There are impressive examples of AR in action particularly through the use of phone applications (apps). Pokémon GO is a prime (and not to mention highly addictive for many) example of AR in action. Pokémon GO allows users to discover Pokémon in the real world. Users can walk around their neighbourhood, their city and even their house to discover and interact with a variety of Pokémon characters. If you haven’t done so already, check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWtDeeXtMZM.

Want to see some more examples of AR in action? Check out the following apps and satisfy your AR curiosity.

- Star Walk: “is an interactive astronomy guide that shows celestial objects in the exact positions on the sky above you, providing detailed information about them” (Vito Technology). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stWaVqdimdw

- Anatomy 4D: “an extraordinary journey inside the human body and heart” (DAQRI). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITEsxjnmvow

- Quiver: “let 3D augmented reality take your colouring to the next level” (Quiver Vision). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edi4qX1oviI

So why use AR in your learning solutions?

1. It’s interactive!

Learners can sit, listen and watch information on a screen, though enabling interaction, creativity and personalisation takes learning to another level. Think about when you are at a Science Museum, there are plaques and information boards to read, though any exhibit with some form of interaction will be sure to call upon the queues. I was at a Science Museum the other day and there were multiple interactive experiences that were raising the attention of the crowds. ‘Test your Reflexes’, ‘The Moral Debate’ and ‘What does your hand say about you?’. All of these interactive activities created curiosity and a sense of personalisation for who I was as a person and I wasn’t going to miss out! Immersive learning is appealing to all human senses and creates longer-lasting and effective learning outcomes (Digital Arts, 2015).

2. It enables ‘just-in-time’/’in-the-moment’ learning

AR allows learning to occur in the moment and when it is needed. Think of how often the world accesses Google. Google processes over 40,000 search queries every second on average (Internet Live Stats, 2017). The search engine provides information at your fingertips, when and where you want it and our society just can’t get enough of it. So why not replicate this with our learning solutions?

Imagine you are teaching your staff how to use a piece of machinery. You provide an information video that they watch at their desk, they get their certificate and they are classed as ‘competent’. 3 months later a staff member is required to use that piece of machinery. “Was it this button?”, “How do I switch this on?”. Questions run through the staff member’s head as they think back to the module they had completed a few months ago. The staff member in that moment needs to know how to use the machinery, so why not provide them with the learning then and there? AR allows this to happen. Whether it is scanning a picture with their phone on the machinery that comes to life to explain the process or holding their phone camera up to the machine in order to download an instruction manual. The possibilities for in-the-moment learning solutions are endless using AR.

3. It’s Portable and Cost-Saving

Using AR, learners can use their smart phones or iPads to enable the learning experience. This means that learners can access the learning at any time and organisations will generally not need to spend money on devices or software. Import your learning solution into an app, ask your staff to download it and “ta-dah” your learning experience is launched.

Are you curious about how AR could complement the learning solutions in your organisation? Here at Belvista Studios we are always striving to keep up to date with the latest trends in eLearning and AR was one not to be missed. If you are interested in the possibilities available with AR technology visit us via our website http://belvistastudios.com or email info@belvistastudios.com.

A little bit about the author...

"I am Hannah and I am passionate about how we can create effective and fun learning experiences. I believe that if you create enjoyment and social connection through learning, learning outcomes can sky rocket! The world is changing and becoming more and more digital by the day. We need to harness this and see what's possible!".

                                                            References

Digital Arts (2015). Why people love immersive, interactive experiences – and how you can create amazing ones. Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/interactive-design/why-people-love-immersive-interactive-experiences-how-you-can-create-amazing-ones/

Drew Minock (2014). New update to DAQRI’s Anatomy 4D App-The Heart Target. Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITEsxjnmvow

Internet Live Stats (2017). Google Search Statistics. Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: http://www.internetlivestats.com/google-search-statistics/

Live Science (2016). What is Augmented Reality? Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: https://www.livescience.com/34843-augmented-reality.html

Naomi McGrath (2015). Quiver App Example. Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edi4qX1oviI

Pokémon GO (2016). Pokémon GO – Get Up and Go! Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWtDeeXtMZM.

Quiver Vision (2016) Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: http://www.quivervision.com

VITOiphone (2012). Video demo for Star Walk: Best Astronomy Guide for Stargazing. Retrieved 30 July 2017 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stWaVqdimdw