Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Augmented Reality in Education

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning

  • 279 Accesses

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) allows users to superimpose digital information on the physical world by means of mobile devices. As a form of mixed reality, AR aligns with social constructivist and situated learning theories, in which knowledge is collaboratively co-created in real-world contexts using authentic disciplinary processes. Compared to fully virtual environments such as virtual reality (VR), educational AR affords location-specific information, just-in-time instruction and scaffolding, increased self-efficacy and tenacity, and greater ease of collaboration and of authoring. Rather than problem-solving activities in decontextualized settings, learners can engage in inquiry-based problem finding through an interactive, dynamic, contextualized learning experience that fosters near-transfer to later activities in the real world. This chapter summarizes illustrative research findings on uses of AR in formal and informal learning settings across multiple disciplines and age ranges. Based on these findings and on likely short-term advances in immersive media, ways that educators can best utilize AR as a means of transforming their teaching are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Akçayır, Murat, and Gökçe Akçayır. 2017. Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality for education: A systematic review of the literature. Educational Research Review 20: 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azuma, Ronald, Yohan Baillot, Reinhold Behringer, Steven Feiner, Simon Julier, and Blair MacIntyre. 2001. Recent advances in augmented reality. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications 21 (6): 34–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, Albert. 1997. Social learning theory. New York: General Learning Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blikstein, Paulo. 2013. Multimodal learning analytics. In Proceedings of the third international conference on learning analytics and knowledge, 102–106. ACM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogost, Ian. 2016. The tragedy of Pokémon Go. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/07/the-tragedy-of-pokemon-go/490793/. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Bower, Matt, Cathie Howe, Nerida McCredie, Austin Robinson, and David Grover. 2014. Augmented reality in education–cases, places and potentials. Educational Media International 51 (1): 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, Frederick P., Jr. 1996. The computer scientist as toolsmith II. Communications of the ACM 39 (3): 61–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, John Seely, Allan Collins, and Paul Duguid. 1989. Situated cognition and the culture of learning. Educational Researcher 18 (1): 32–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruner, Jerome Seymour. 1966. Toward a theory of instruction. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso Teresa and Abreu Renato. 2019. In Zhang, A. & Cristol, D. (eds.), Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning (2nd ed.). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, Hsin-Yi, Hsin-Kai Wu, and Ying-Shao Hsu. 2013. Integrating a mobile augmented reality activity to contextualize student learning of a socioscientific issue. British Journal of Educational Technology 44 (3): E95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, Kuo-En, Chia-Tzu Chang, Huei-Tse Hou, Yao-Ting Sung, Huei-Lin Chao, and Cheng-Ming Lee. 2014. Development and behavioral pattern analysis of a mobile guide system with augmented reality for painting appreciation instruction in an art museum. Computers & Education 71: 185–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Kun-Hung, and Chin-Chung Tsai. 2013. Affordances of augmented reality in science learning: Suggestions for future research. Journal of Science Education and Technology 22 (4): 449–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiang, T. H. C., Yang, S. J., & Hwang, G. J. (2014). An augmented reality-based mobile learning system to improve students' learning achievements and motivations in natural science inquiry activities. Educational Technology and Society 17(4), 352–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinn, Clark A., and Betina A. Malhotra. 2002. Epistemologically authentic inquiry in schools: A theoretical framework for evaluating inquiry tasks. Science Education 86 (2): 175–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke-Midura, Jody, Chris Dede, and J. Norton. 2011. Next generation assessments for measuring complex learning in science. In The road ahead for state assessments. Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy, 27–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Constine, Josh. 2017. Zuck says copying Snapchat was just step 1 of Facebook’s AR platform. Tech Crunch. https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/will-snap-copy-the-fb-platform/. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Dede, Chris. 2009. Immersive interfaces for engagement and learning. Science 323 (5910): 66–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunleavy M, and Dede C 2014. Augmented aeality teaching and learning. In Spector J., Merrill M., Elen J., Bishop M. (eds.) Handbook of research on educational communications and technology, 735–745. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunleavy, Matt, and Brittney Simmons. 2011. Assessing learning and identity in augmented reality science games. In Serious educational game assessment. Sense Publishers, Boston, MA, 221–240.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dunleavy, Matt, Chris Dede, and Rebecca Mitchell. 2009. Affordances and limitations of immersive participatory augmented reality simulations for teaching and learning. Journal of Science Education and Technology 18 (1): 7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, Brad. 2017. Behind the Magic: How we built the ARKit Sudoku Solver. Prototypr. https://blog.prototypr.io/behind-the-magic-how-we-built-the-arkit-sudoku-solver-e586e5b685b0. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Gavish, Nirit, Teresa Gutiérrez, Sabine Webel, Jorge Rodríguez, Matteo Peveri, Uli Bockholt, and Franco Tecchia. 2015. Evaluating virtual reality and augmented reality training for industrial maintenance and assembly tasks. Interactive Learning Environments 23 (6): 778–798.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greeno, James G. 1998. The situativity of knowing, learning, and research. American Psychologist 53 (1): 5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grotzer, Tina A., Megan M. Powell, Katarzyna M. Derbiszewska, Caroline J. Courter, Amy M. Kamarainen, Shari J. Metcalf, and Christopher J. Dede. 2015. Turning transfer inside out: The affordances of virtual worlds and mobile devices in real world contexts for teaching about causality across time and distance in ecosystems. Technology, Knowledge and Learning 20 (1): 43–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanke, John. 2017. The magic of Harry Potter is coming to a neighborhood near you. Niantic Labs. https://nianticlabs.com/blog/wizardsunite/. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Kamarainen, Amy M., Shari Metcalf, Tina Grotzer, Allison Browne, Diana Mazzuca, M. Shane Tutwiler, and Chris Dede. 2013. EcoMOBILE: Integrating augmented reality and probeware with environmental education field trips. Computers & Education 68: 545–556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamarainen, Amy, Shari Metcalf, Tina Grotzer, and Chris Dede. 2015. Designing for contextualized STEM learning using mobile technologies and augmented reality. In Mobile learning and STEM: Case studies in practice. Routlidge, NY, 98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann, Hannes, and Andreas Dünser. 2007. Summary of usability evaluations of an educational augmented reality application. In Virtual reality. Springer, New York, 660–669.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klopfer, Eric, and Josh Sheldon. 2010. Augmenting your own reality: Student authoring of science-based augmented reality games. New Directions for Student Leadership 2010 (128): 85–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klopfer, E., and K. Squire. 2008. Environmental detectives – The development of an augmented reality platform for environmental simulations. Educational Technology Research and Development 56 (2): 203–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laan, Jason. 2017. Realistic AR brush texture paintings with deep learning style transfer. Made with ARKit. http://www.madewitharkit.com/post/166751998274/realistic-ar-brush-texture-paintings-with-deep. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Lave Jean and Etienne Wenger. 1991. Situated learning: legitimate peripheral participation. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindgren, Robb, and J. Michael Moshell. 2011. Supporting children’s learning with body-based metaphors in a mixed reality environment. In Proceedings of the 10th international conference on interaction design and children, 177–180. ACM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matney, Lucas. 2017. Jeff Koons’ augmented reality Snapchat artwork gets ‘vandalized’. Tech Crunch. https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/08/jeff-koons-augmented-reality-snapchat-artwork-gets-vandalized/. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Mestre, Jose. 2002. Transfer of learning: Issues and research agenda. Arlington: National Science Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milgram, Paul, and Fumio Kishino. 1994. A taxonomy of mixed reality visual displays. IEICE Transactions on Information and Systems 77 (12): 1321–1329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, Ann, Antti Oulasvirta, Peter Peltonen, Giulio SaijaLemmela, Gerhard Jacucci, JaanaNäsänen Reitmayr, and Antti Juustila. 2009. Like bees around the hive: A comparative study of a mobile augmented reality map. In Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on human factors in computing systems, 1889–1898. ACM.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Shea, Patrick, Rebecca Mitchell, Catherine Johnston, and Chris Dede. 2009. Lessons learned about designing augmented realities. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations (IJGCMS) 1 (1): 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panetta, Kasey. 2017. Top trends in the Gartner Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, 2017. Gartner. https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/top-trends-in-the-gartner-hype-cycle-for-emerging-technologies-2017/. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Peddie, Jon. 2017. Augmented reality. Cham: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Perkins, David N., and Gavriel Salomon. 1992. Transfer of learning. International Encyclopedia of Education 2: 6452–6457.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, Judy, Eric Klopfer, Marleigh Norton, Dan Sutch, Richard Sandford, and Keri Facer. 2008. AR gone wild: two approaches to using augmented reality learning games in Zoos. In Proceedings of the 8th international conference on International conference for the learning sciences-Volume 3, 322–329. International Society of the Learning Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quarles, John, Samsun Lampotang, Ira Fischler, Paul Fishwick, and Benjamin Lok. 2008. A mixed reality approach for merging abstract and concrete knowledge. In Virtual Reality Conference, 2008. VR’08. IEEE, 27–34. IEEE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radu, I. 2014. Augmented reality in education: a meta-review and cross-media analysis. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing 18(6), 1533–1543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reilly, Joseph, Amy Kamarainen, Shari Metcalf, Tina Grotzer, Michael Shane Tutwiler, and Chris Dede. 2017. Evaluating middle school students’ integration of variable data in scientific explanations. In Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Antonio, 1 May 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roesner, Franziska, Tadayoshi Kohno, and David Molnar. 2014. Security and privacy for augmented reality systems. Communications of the ACM 57 (4): 88–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rolland, Jannick P., and Henry Fuchs. 2000. Optical versus video see-through head-mounted displays in medical visualization. Presence Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 9 (3): 287–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldman Sachs. 2016. Virtual and augmented reality: Understanding the race for the next computing platform. http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/technology-driving-innovation-folder/virtual-and-augmented-reality/report.pdf. Accessed 26 Nov 2017.

  • Schneider, Bertrand, and Paulo Blikstein. 2015. Unraveling students’ interaction around a tangible interface using multimodal learning analytics. Journal of Educational Data Mining 7 (3): 89–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Squire, Kurt D., and Mingfong Jan. 2007. Mad City mystery: Developing scientific argumentation skills with a place-based augmented reality game on handheld computers. Journal of Science Education and Technology 16 (1): 5–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L. S. 1978. Mind in society (M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman, eds.). Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, Susan, Emma Anderson, Joyce Lin, and Karen Elinich. 2017. How augmented reality enables conceptual understanding of challenging science content. Journal of Educational Technology & Society 20 (1): 156.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Joseph M. Reilly & Chris Dede

Authors
  1. Joseph M. Reilly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chris Dede
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph M. Reilly .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. CEO, WEMOSOFT, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Yu (Aimee) Zhang

  2. Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University, Upper Arlington, OH, USA

    Dean Cristol

Section Editor information

  1. Coventry University, Coventry, UK

    Yanguo Jing

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Reilly, J.M., Dede, C. (2019). Augmented Reality in Education. In: Zhang, Y., Cristol, D. (eds) Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41981-2_126-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41981-2_126-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-41981-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-41981-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Social SciencesReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation