Augmented Reality in Online Educational Contexts: The UOC Case

Study

Ivan Alsina-Jurnet & Lourdes Guàrdia, UOC

9-12 June 2015, Barcelona

AR in eLearningThe study is part of a broader project in which AR will be implemented within the UOC educational model.

• AR provides unique features for the development of situated, experiential, cooperative and authentic activities.

• But more research is still needed to understand how to implement it in online educational environments.

• Objectives: Explore faculty opinions regarding the introduction of AR in an online university: What are the most appropriate AR tools? What types of teaching/learning strategies? What instructional designs?

Methodology and Results15 teachers from the UOC’s Master in Education and ICT (eLearning) participated. A mixed method approach was used.

The use of AR would be feasible, appropriate and would have a positive impact on students’ motivation.

The most appropriate technology for eLearning contexts is geo-based AR.

Questions Not at all %(n)

Slightly %(n)

Somewhat %(n)

Enough %(n)

Quite %(n) Extremely %(n)

Authentic Learning

0 (0) 13.3 (2) 26.7 (4) 33.3 (5) 33.3 (5) 0 (0)

Learning complex concepts

0 (0) 13.3 (2) 26.7 (4) 20 (3) 26.7 (4) 13.3 (2)

Collaborative Learning

0 (0) 13.3 (2) 26.7 (4) 26.7 (4) 33.3 (5) 0 (0)

Game-based learning

0 (0) 0 (0) 6.7 (1) 20 (3) 53.3 (8) 20 (3)

Discovery-based learning

0 (0) 0 (0) 13.3 (2) 20 (3) 33.3 (5) 33.3 (5)

Conclusions1) It is recommended to use geo-based AR to promote discover and game-based learning, enhance collaboration processes and engage students in authentic activities.

2) A concern over the need for faculty development in learning how to use AR in online education emerged.

DBR methodology will be used to design, develop, implement and evaluate geo-based AR tools/strategies within the UOC.

Next Steps…

We will develop OER (MOOC?) that will provide an entry point to the subject of AR for faculty.