In this article, the usage areas of augmented reality (AR) technology in education are examined. When the literature is scanned, it is seen that AR technology is used in education in mathematics, science, astronomy, engineering, architecture, social sciences, special education and military fields.

Augmented Reality in Special Education

Applications that contribute to the education of visually and mentally disabled people have been developed using augmented reality technology. One of these apps was developed by California Institute of Technology researchers for the visually impaired. The researchers, using Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality glasses and the cognitive augmented reality assistant software they developed, called the CARA “Cognitive Augmented Reality Assistant” as hardware, allows the system to provide audio information to the user about the objects that visually impaired people encounter, while also giving direction information while walking. helps them walk.

. Augmented Reality in Mathematics and Science Education

Commercial applications have been developed in the field of mathematics and geometry as a material that supports learning with augmented reality technology. Considering the distribution of these applications in Table 1, it is seen that more applications have been developed in the field of geometry compared to mathematics, and when all applications are examined, it is seen that the interaction feature is only in two applications. The common benefit of these applications; It is stated that its contribution to the development of 3D thinking skill supports permanent and meaningful learning.

In a study in which teachers’ opinions on the use of augmented reality technology in science education were taken, it was revealed that the use of augmented reality applications could be an alternative solution to difficulties such as not being able to provide a laboratory environment in terms of time or opportunity, and not experimenting. In addition, it was stated that the use of augmented reality technology in education would be more effective and efficient in order to better understand the subjects with abundant abstract concepts such as biology and physics.

Augmented Reality in Social Sciences Education

Two-dimensional representations in geography education cause students to misunderstand and learn. Using augmented reality applications in geography education, the sky, solar system, planets and so on. Transferring subjects such as 3-dimensional visual and interactive to students supports permanent learning. One of these applications, the Google Sky map software, when the mobile phone or tablet pc is set up and the device is held to the sky, gives detailed information about the objects in space such as stars and planets that are visible or invisible in the sky. In some applications, for example, the two-dimensional drawing (in Figure 1), which is colored on the mute world map, is shown to the camera where the application is installed, and the application presents an interactive experiment by converting the 2-dimensional drawing (in Figure 2) to a 3-dimensional sphere.

Augmented Reality in Engineering and Architectural Education

Studies have been conducted to utilize augmented reality technology in engineering and architectural education. As an example, in a research on the use of augmented reality application in computer engineering education, augmented reality technology was used to make the sequencing algorithms in the algorithm course curriculum better understood by students and contribute to learning in an interactive way. As a result of the study, it was observed that the interest of the students in the lesson and the success rate increased.

Digital expression tools are used more intensely than traditional tools in design processes in the field of architecture. With the augmented reality technology, digital expression tools 3-dimensional models come out from the screens, and the representations experienced with the real physical environment are revealed. The use of augmented reality technology in design studios in architectural education increases students’ motivation and interest and creates a more exciting and enjoyable experience compared to the representations made by traditional means of expression.

Augmented Reality in Medical Education

By using augmented reality applications, the practical training programs that medical students or specialists in various fields should take can be provided in a more practical way. An application developed in this area helps to determine the positions of blood vessels correctly and thus to minimize the problems such as not finding a vein during injection. Another application has been developed in the subject of anatomy. While students who want to get more detailed information about anatomy are working on plastic models and cadavers with a limited and time constraint, thanks to the augmented reality application, they can do detailed studies on the human body in time and place.

Augmented Reality in Foreign Language Education

Foreign language learning is an area where learning attachment and interaction is important. In this sense, augmented reality technology contributes to enrich the learning experience by presenting language skills and fields to students interactively in a real world connection. In a study conducted at a state university in terms of seeing these contributions, participants were used two different augmented reality applications, the first as the square code and the second as the trigger of the visuals. As a result of the research, it was revealed that augmented reality applications can be used as an effective learning material and offer students an enriched learning experience.

Augmented Reality in Occupational Health and Safety Education

Part of the occupational health and safety training is employee training. In particular, industrial employees should take the importance of occupational health in practice while receiving training such as maintenance, repair, assembly glazing. In traditional methods, when repairing or maintaining a machine, it may be necessary to spend a long time and effort such as following the instructions in the user manual or finding the answer to the problem. Augmented reality technologies can be used in the training of industrial employees in this regard, and it can be ensured that they are seen on the same screen by combining the physical environment with abstract objects without interrupting the communication with the real world. In Figure 27, looking at a machine with AR glasses, finding out which model it is in its system and showing the location of the problematic part, in Figure 26, the source of the problem and relevant instructions,

Augmented Reality in Military Education

In a study conducted by Harvard Business Review magazine, it is stated that the use of augmented reality technology in the field of maintenance and education reduces 90% of possible errors and possible loss of time by 35%. Military vehicles and equipment must be ready for combat at the highest level, and personnel must be ready for rapid response to malfunctions that may occur during the operation. Augmented reality based training applications prepare staff for these situations. In Turkey, Bites firm, of which it is a partner in Aselsan, has developed Augmented Reality Based Maintenance Support System (Figure-3). With this system, technical personnel can solve problems that are difficult to learn in printed resources, but instead of having experienced technical personnel for application in the field, solutions can be produced by remote support.

Augmented Reality in Astronomy Education

Some of the augmented reality applications that can be used in astronomy education; It is a SpaceCraft 4D application developed by Space 4D and NASA. Using these two applications, the effect of using augmented reality technology related to the solar system and beyond on the academic success of students has been investigated. As a result of this study, it was observed that the students who took the solar system and beyond course supported with augmented reality learned the concepts more easily, and the use of augmented reality applications increased the success effect.

Augmented Reality in Preschool Education

It is thought that the use of technology in the pre-school education will attract the attention of children by motivating them. In this context, in a case study about the effects of using augmented reality applications in pre-school education; Applications called Quiver, 3D Magic Educational Cards and Octaland 4D + were used. As a result of the study, it was stated that the practices used by the educators attracted the attention of the children and supported the permanent and faster learning as well as the willingness to participate in the activities.

You can find my review of educational usage areas of virtual reality technology in this article .

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