3 reasons to choose Augmented Reality in your e-learning

A while ago, we already wrote a blog about Virtual Reality and how Virtual Reality can greatly improve the learning experience of the students in your e-course.

In this blog, we put the concept of Augmented Reality (AR) in the spotlight; AR deserves its own spot on our blog, because AR can also contribute enormously to a positive and exciting learning experience and AR can also enormously increase learning outcomes.

What's the difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality?

The difference between VR and AR lies mainly in the equipment that is used and the user experience itself:

• AR uses a “real-world setting” while VR is completely virtual
• AR users control their presence and actions in the real world, while VR users are controlled by the system
• VR requires headphones, while AR is easily accessible with a smartphone
• AR takes place in both the virtual and the real world, while VR only affects a fictional world/reality
  

Why should you choose Augmented Reality in your e-course?

Augmented Reality is a rapidly growing trend. It is estimated that by 2023, there will be 2.4 billion mobile users of Augmented Reality worldwide.

Augmented Reality is changing how we interact with mobile apps and other visual experiences.

With Augmented Reality, you can make computer-generated images appear on the screen in the student's actual environment.

This means that when you move your mobile camera through space, AR lets you see a computer-generated object on your screen, all in “real time”. This technique enables students to learn in a more interactive environment.

AR includes 25% digital reality and 75% existing reality. This means that it does not replace the entire real environment with a virtual environment, but that it integrates virtual objects into the real world.

What are the benefits of using Augmented Reality in your e-learning?

1. Learn anytime, anywhere

By adding AR to your online learning environment/e-course, you make textbooks and other print media obsolete and learning can take place entirely online.

In addition, AR offers various ways to make learning interesting and accessible to everyone (such as gamification and a voice option). This also saves a lot of costs for both the trainer and the student (such as printing materials, renting a space, etc.)

2. Ideal for practicing practical skills

Augmented Reality allows students to practice certain skills without risk and at no huge cost. For example, trying out a certain device or pressing certain buttons in the cockpit of an aircraft, or during an operation.

3. Maintain interest

Gamification really brings e-learning to life. Because how cool is it when you see theoretical concepts come to life with your own eyes? This is how students really make that transition from theory to practice and there is a much greater chance that what they have learned will stick around. In addition, it also makes the learning experience much more fun and engaging.

4. Easily accessible

All you need is a smartphone! And who doesn't have them these days?

How can you use Augmented Reality in your e-course?

A few ways you can apply AR to your e-course yourself:

1. Simulations with real objects

We mentioned it before, but AR comes into its own when students can practice with certain objects in a real-life environment. A combination of VR and AR is also often used for this purpose.

For example, designing a real environment in terms of sound, color, light and processes, offering the student the opportunity to “push real buttons” that result in real actions/reactions.

2. Practice big but with a small risk

Augmented reality is a powerful and life-saving tool. Physicians can practice complex procedures without putting their patients at risk. And you can practice with tools in a safe environment.

Best of all, the student experiences everything in “real time” and thus experiences the same stress and workload as in the real situation. In this way, students gain valuable experience without actually being exposed to major risks.

Each decision they make leads to a different outcome and allows them to see the consequences of their actions.

Pluvo is very enthusiastic about the possibilities of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Are you curious about how you can apply these concepts to your e-learning? We are happy to think along with you: send us a message via chat