Augmented reality (AR) has become a huge part of daily life, from online shopping to gaming to social media. The technology merges the digital space with reality, overlaying virtual images onto the real-world environment. 

It's become groundbreaking for all kinds of industries as well, enabling people to go beyond physical limitations and incorporate digital elements into their surroundings and everyday activities. The education sector is no exception to adopting this growing technology, and the demand is only increasing. The AR and VR (virtual reality) in education market was valued at $2.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $14.2 billion by 2028. As the online world becomes more integrated with learning and teaching, technology like AR can make the experience more personalized, immersive, and engaging to keep students excited. AR is also still evolving, presenting more promising ways the technology can be used in education. 

Here's a look at AR technology in education and where it's headed:

AR filters

AR filters are one of the most common uses of AR in daily life. They are often used on social media, such as beauty filters that alter the appearance or game filters that respond to movement or sound. Many e-commerce channels use AR filters to simulate a product's appearance on a person or in their home before buying it. Eyewear retailer Sunglass Hut lets shoppers try on glasses online using a virtual try-on tool. Consumers can choose models like the Versace Biggie or Oakley Sutro and get a full preview of the frames using their device's camera to make them more confident in their purchase. Home furniture retailer IKEA also enables people to preview furniture in their homes with the AR feature on the IKEA Place app. Aside from overlaying the images of sunglasses or chairs onto real life, AR filters are also becoming more interactive, making them promising as unique educational tools.

AR filters can be used as a unique tool for quizzes or reviewing lessons, allowing students to find more enjoyment in the experience. An AR filter can pose a question on screen, and multiple-choice answers can be provided. The student can tilt their head towards or hold up their hand to the correct answer and move on to the next question. AR face tracking or head and hand movement tracking are used to allow students to interact with the filter. Once all the questions are answered, the filter can give a score, and teachers can track students' scores by collecting the recorded videos.

AR filters can also engage students using fun visuals and mechanics that provide more excitement than traditional quiz formats. Social media apps like TikTok have already revealed tech that allows any creator to develop AR filters, making the tech easily accessible for teachers and students.

Gamification

Introducing students to a new lesson can be challenging as information might not be easily absorbed through traditional lectures alone. If students are given a chance to immerse themselves in real-world applications of these topics, they'll be able to engage with the material in a more relevant and exciting way. AR games can be a helpful tool to give students a new and fun perspective on the lesson and how they can use their knowledge in their daily lives and interests. 

One primary example is the popular AR game Pokémon GO, which uses AR technology to incorporate Pokémon into the real world and use catching mechanics seen in the franchise's games or shows. It encourages users to travel and find Pokémon in their real-life surroundings, catch them, and strengthen and evolve them. It's a popular game for entertainment and leisure, but it can also be used for educational purposes. The University of Iowa offers a Pokémon GO math class that combines math with gameplay to create a more engaging experience. By understanding the computations behind a Pokémon's attack, defense, and hit points stats, players can leverage this to succeed at the game and learn important math concepts simultaneously.

AR games can also help teach languages online, as students may not have a lot of real-life opportunities to learn languages like English where they are. AR technology can transport them to new environments or offer real-time translations so they can learn English in an immersive way that replicates the experience of traveling, where they're exposed to more of the language. 

Virtual activities

AR's ability to merge digital images with the real world can make for interesting and interactive educational activities. This is why the technology is often used in medical education and training, allowing students to combine theoretical knowledge with real applications and experiments in a controlled environment. The virtual elements still enable an immersive experience without using up precious resources or risking safety.

AR tools can offer an immersive glimpse into human anatomy beyond traditional silicone models. On an AR application, students can zoom in and out on the digital image or tap an organ to learn more about its functions and structure. AR may also be used to perform or watch experiments like dissections without the need for real parts. It's also a much safer tool for medical students to simulate procedures and high-stress care situations without the risk of affecting patient safety. An example is LapMentor, which uses AR to teach basic laparoscopic skills and train students for procedures like laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gastric bypass, ventral hernia, and more. The program also offers an assessment system so students can better evaluate their performance and adjust their technique for future training.

AR may even be able to simulate the entire surgery experience to understand the work it involves. If AR technology for medical education is made accessible to even non-medical students, it can heighten people's awareness of how their body works and how certain procedures are performed using an engaging and interactive medium. 

AR has already made impressive strides in education, revolutionizing the way students and teachers engage with lessons. However, there's still more room for development, which may offer more exciting features for education in the near future.

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