Augmented Reality in Teaching Technical/Vocational Skills in the 21st Century Classroom

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explain Augmented Reality (AR) in the field of technical/ vocational education. To ensure that education system deliver quality education, it has to undergo tremendous changes through technology to provide an interesting, realistic and authentic learning environment through AR. AR is a technology that the ability to overlay computer graphics on the real environment. AR uses tools like smart phones in projecting virtual objects to the students covering different topics in technical/ vocational education. This paper captures the characteristics of AR which include mixing reality with digital information, being interactive, facilitates modification of text, video clips, audio, 3D and websites contents. The paper also looked into the benefits of AR in teaching and learning technical/ vocational education. The benefits includes enhancing interactive learning, increased student engagement, improved knowledge retention, personalized learning, real world application, gratification motivation, accessibility and inclusivity of learner’s needs. The challenges facing the teaching and learning of AR ranges from challenges related to individual teachers, students, AR system developers, environment and lack of empirical studies were highlighted. Solutions on how to overcome the challenges of AR were proffered.