The Power of "Why" in Educational Augmented Reality

Why Augmented Reality? The fundamental goal of education is to stimulate inquisitiveness, augment comprehension, and cultivate a profound, enduring engagement with learning and knowledge. AR brings an extraordinary dimension to learning, making abstract concepts not only visible but interactive. Thus, the purpose of AR is to transform learning into an amazing journey, turning every lesson into a portal to discovery that extends beyond the static pages of textbooks.

Why Conceptual Maps? Conceptual maps serve as a valuable tool in navigating the educational path, providing guidance and documentation. They visually represent the landscape of knowledge both before and after the implementation of augmented reality (AR). These maps serve as immediate visual representations of development, illustrating the progression of comprehension from simple structures to complex and detailed landscapes of conceptual associations and connections formed within the individual's brain.

Augmented Reality in Action: The Moon and Space Shuttle

Imagine transforming your classroom into a dynamic laboratory where students not only learn but also experience the mysteries of the cosmos. With StemAR's augmented reality offerings, such as the moon and space shuttle, we're not just observing; we're engaging in a hands-on exploration that sits at the heart of STEM methodology and project-based learning (PBL).

Students in this augmented PBL scenario have a mission: to design a sustainable lunar habitat that can sustain human life. Using their mobile devices, they dive into an augmented reality where the moon is more than a distant satellite; it's a potential new home. This mission prompts a series of inquiries that challenge students to apply their knowledge across STEM disciplines:

Science: How can we create a self-sustaining ecosystem on the moon? This inquiry leads students to explore concepts of closed-loop systems, water recycling, and artificial photosynthesis, all while navigating the moon's surface and examining its resources through AR.

Technology and Engineering: What materials and structures would provide the best protection against the moon's harsh environment? Students can examine the lunar surface and space shuttle materials and design closely, considering factors like radiation, temperature extremes, and the thin atmosphere.

Mathematics: Calculating the logistics of lunar travel and habitat construction introduces mathematical challenges. Students can compile a list of essentials, explore the definition of essentials on the moon, calculate the necessary supplies for the journey and prolonged stay, and estimate the food and water requirements for the duration until the new habitat becomes self-sufficient.

The Journey of Understanding: Before and After AR

The true magic of AR in education reveals itself vividly through the use of conceptual maps. Before embarking on their AR journey, students sketch out their initial understanding of, say, the moon's surface or the structure of a space shuttle. These maps, often simplistic, represent their starting point.

After an AR experience with StemAR, the transformation is striking. Students revisit their maps, this time adding layers of detail and connections that were previously unimagined. Students now understand that craters are more than just some circles on a page, and they also understand the terrain and difficult lunar atmosphere. The space shuttle is an engineering wonder as well as a means of transportation, with every component playing a vital part in the space travel ballet.

Measuring Success Through Conceptual Mapping

This before-and-after scenario is not just about the visible expansion of knowledge—it's about the ignition of interest, the spark of curiosity, and the deep engagement with the subject matter. These are the intangible yet invaluable metrics of success in education. Conceptual mapping offers a tangible measure of this transformation, showcasing AR's power not just to inform but to inspire.

Conclusion

Our "why" in embracing augmented reality is to transcend traditional learning boundaries, turning education into an odyssey of discovery. Through conceptual maps, we can visibly trace the journey of understanding that AR facilitates, from the initial spark of curiosity to the rich comprehension of complex concepts. StemAR's augmented reality objects open a universe of possibilities, inviting students to explore, discover, and connect with their learning material in profound ways.

By starting with "why"—our unwavering commitment to deepening engagement and understanding—we can navigate the challenges of integrating new technologies into education. Augmented reality, with its unparalleled capacity to make learning immersive and interactive, stands as a testament to the power of purpose-driven educational innovation. Let us embrace the boundless possibilities AR offers, not merely for the sake of technology but for the enrichment of our students' educational journeys.

This blog post was inspired by Simon Sinek's work and is a call to educators and decision-makers alike to consider the profound impact augmented reality can have on student learning. By adopting AR technologies like StemAR and utilizing strategies such as conceptual mapping, we can offer students not just knowledge but an adventure into learning that they will never forget.

References:

Sinek, Simon. "Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action." Penguin Group, 2009.