By Elizabeth, Head of the School of Digital Education at Arden University
With augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market size and awareness set to continue to grow as it is adapted for educational uses, Elizabeth Ellis, Head of School of Digital Education at Arden University, explores the way the interactive nature of the technology makes it an ideal fit for the future of education.
We are experiencing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the distinctions between technologies, physical, digital and biological spheres are getting blurrier by the day. The jobs market is also crying out for talent with practical skills as well as a degree.
As a result, more and more students are expecting their university to also adopt new digital technologies like virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, or the Internet of Things (IoT). Adopting such technology is something that has the power to really transform the education experience, as well as being something students’ keep an eye out for when selecting their programmes.
Opening dimensions
Augmented reality (AR) in university education is changing the way students learn. Studies show that AR improves motivation and increases attention. What’s more, it opens up endless teaching opportunities for universities, whether in distance or blended classes.
This has the potential then not just to transform the learning experience but has also to offer a voice for underrepresented groups. It can be sensitively implemented through working in partnership with students with disabilities, with examples from the sector including developing resources for students who are neurodiverse. AR also opens doors for those who may not be able to attend external field trips – whether that is due to being unable to afford such privileges or not being physically able to travel. Adopting such technology will truly make the education field and jobs market much more diverse and inclusive. A wonderful, simple example which is available to everyone is SkyView – an app that focuses on bringing the wonders of space to a mobile device through an intuitive interface. It enables those with a deep interest in space, for example, to explore and expand their knowledge without needing any expensive equipment.
Entwining such technology promotes immersive learning – a method that places students in an interactive learning environment – education institutions can replicate possible scenarios, that will help teach skills or techniques, thoroughly embedding these in real-world situations, or as part of a problem-based curriculum.
Learning by doing can be an effective way to learn new skills, retain information and change behaviours – all of which are beneficial in a range of professions, especially for those looking to upskill or change industries. But in an era where remote learning and hybrid working is rife, and where industries are fighting for funding, getting that practical experience alongside studying is difficult. Applying immersive learning with AR and VR in this situation can help many sectors. It can enhance academic learning to support operational experience and help develop the skills needed on the job.
In policing or criminal justice, for example, it is not uncommon for students to enter higher education and complete their degree, but then have little to no knowledge of the ins-and-outs of what their actual career will demand when they enter the workplace. The School of Policing at Arden University, headed by Rach Strezlecki, has developed an immersive crime-scene environment to allow students to embed themselves and make the same decisions they would have to make if it was a real-life crime scene – such as deciding what equipment is needed and identifying the correct evidence to highlight to solve the investigation.
The technology used enables students to see the investigative process end-to-end and from both a forensic and criminal investigation point of view. The immersive learning experience which uses AR and VR features elements such as presenting options for students and helping them learn basic interview protocols, including what equipment is best to collect evidence, how to store it, what to look at and ways to approach the suspects. The main aim of utilising this technology is to explore and showcase the variety of roles that contribute to a criminal investigation and to illustrate to a student the different career paths that are available within the civilian side of policing, forensics, and wider law enforcement.
This has the power to transform the jobs market – graduates will be job ready, as opposed to needing further, rigorous training post-graduation. By harnessing the emerging capabilities in technology, AI, and machine learning can really enhance the academic learning experience for students. It will open doors for those that may struggle with traditional education routes, close the distance for careers that demand travel and allow those who cannot afford the expense that comes with some qualifications due to ongoing field trips to experience the possibilities of a certain industry before entering it. Committing to higher education especially, is no easy or cheap feat, and AR has the possibility to not only expose us to the possibilities of a career before we qualify, but it also allows us to become more confident for the first day on the job post-graduation.
The ongoing challenge to the university sector will be to apply pressure to ensure best practice – pressure on technology companies to develop more cost-effective, platform neutral applications, which are fully inclusive and accessible, and pressure on accrediting bodies and regulatory organisations who may yet be reluctant to embrace new forms of digital learning and assessment.
About Author
Elizabeth is Head of the School of Digital Education at Arden University. With more than 10 years’ experience in the higher education sector, she is passionate about engaging with students to scope, design, develop and evaluate the university’s digital learning and teaching materials and takes pride in ensuring the university is utilising the very latest digital tools and platforms to provide an outstanding learning environment.
