AR: how clever visuals can make children's dreams come true
Every child has the right to an education, yet it's unfortunate when you consider how many traditional teaching methods do not properly fulfil a student's needs.
Children have different learning skills and requirements, and as educators, we have a duty to ensure that all children reach their full potential and become the best version of themselves.
Technology is vast becoming a useful tool to allow educators to motivate students in a more positive manner. Augmented Reality (AR) in particular overlays virtual images onto real world images in real time. As one AR company CleverBooks perfectly puts it, this type of technology allows children to 'see, hear and touch the knowledge.'
AR involves bringing things to life, with just a smartphone or tablet. It's easy to use and inexpensive hardware makes it even more attractive. For example, if a pupil scans an AR friendly maths book, the user could dissect 3D and 4D shapes into more manageable forms allowing for a better understanding of these mathematical concepts. If it were used on an AR friendly geography book, children could immerse themselves into countries around the world, expanding on their knowledge. Better understanding brings better solutions in the long run.
The beauty of AR means that it allows users to access materials, anytime, anywhere. In our current climate, this has proven to be an invaluable component in the area of remote learning. Traditional methods are slowly dwindling and being replaced by digital formats. So, it's vital that we are prepared for these transitions.
The benefits of AR extend far beyond its aesthetic features and its easy access. In fact, it has been proven that AR helps children to learn faster, building greater experiences so that it becomes a daily habit is vitally important.
Modern children are already adapting to a fast-changing, technologically dominant world. Starting the process early means young children are capable and familiar with EdTech, thus preparing them for a highly skilled workforce in the future.
CleverBooks' CEO Dr. Darya Yegorina summed it up best in her TEDxTalk: ‘Every child has a right to succeed in their future career. As well as the right to have access to the most innovative 21st century pedagogical practices. Yet, the fact is that the education sector today is the leading cause of failure of many students who do not fit the demand of a modern job market. The way we teach kids today is not relevant for their tomorrow.’
It is apparent that more schools need to be fully ready for AR in the classroom and its use in remote learning environments. As the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, staying connected is now more important than ever. The onus is on teachers and parents alike to make sure that they can engage their students, and provide, interesting and fun lessons. AR is the perfect tool in this regard.
By: Ciarán Mather
CleverBooks Ltd.
