Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using Augmented Reality to Engage STEM Students with an Authentic Curriculum

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
E-Learning, E-Education, and Online Training (eLEOT 2015)

Abstract

This paper reports on the introduction of a set of ‘Augmented Reality’ (AR) tasks, offering an innovative, real world and problem based set of activities for a group of first year University Gaming and Computer Science students. Our initial research identifies a gap in the perceptions of STEM students between the usefulness of discipline based modules and a compulsory ‘Professional Development’ module where more ‘employability’ based skills were delivered. It had a history of poor student engagement and attendance, and failed to provide a compelling narrative/links to the outside world. The AR tasks were designed to facilitate group-working and multi-channel communication, and to engage students through the use of a more creative technology. Framed as a rich case study, insights are captured through student blogs, video interviews and a questionnaire. Initial findings indicate higher levels of satisfaction, enhanced student engagement and a greater awareness of the value of transferable skills.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 72.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Carmigniani, J., Furht, B.: Augmented reality: an overview. In: Handbook of augmented reality, pp. 3–46. Springer New York (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Azuma, R.T.: A survey of augmented reality. Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environ. 6(4), 355–385 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Liarokapis, F., Anderson, E.F.: Using augmented reality as a medium to assist teaching in higher education. In: Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the European Association for Computer Graphics (Eurographics 2010), Education Program, pp. 9–16 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kaufmann, H., Schmalstieg, D.: Mathematics and geometry education with collaborative augmented reality. Comput. Graph. 27(3), 339–345 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ibáñez, M.B., et al.: Experimenting with electromagnetism using augmented reality: impact on flow student experience and educational effectiveness. Comput. Educ. 71, 1–13 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Yuen, S., Yaoyuneyong, G., Johnson, E.: Augmented reality: an overview and five directions for AR in education. J. Educ. Technol. Dev. Exch. 4(1), 119–140 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  7. EdTechReview on Augmented Reality http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/1503-teaching-with-augmented-reality-it-s-here (2015)

  8. UCAS media.: Eight out of Ten Freshers have Smartphones (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Shawky, D., Said, T., Badawi, A., Hozayin, R.: Affordances of computer-supported collaborative learning platforms: a systematic review. In: Interactive Collaborative Learning 2014 International Conference, pp. 633, 651 (2014). doi:10.1109/ICL.2014.7017846

  10. Lin, T., Duh, H., Li, N., Wang, H., Tsai, C.: An investigation of learners’ collaborative knowledge construction performances and behavior patterns in an augmented reality simulation system. Comput. Educ. 68, 314–321 (2013). ISSN 0360-1315, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.05.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Vygotsky, L.S.: Mind in Society. In: Cole, M. (ed.) The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press, Cambridge (1978). Original work published 1930

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lee, C.D., Smagorinsky, P.: Vygotskian perspectives on literacy research: constructing meaning through collaborative inquiry. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Cook, J.: Mobile phones as mediating tools within augmented contexts for development. Int. J. Mob. Blended Learn. 2(3), 1–12 (2010). http://goo.gl/NFWnSZ

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Kukulska-Hulme, A., Traxler, J., Pettit, J.: Designed and user-generated activity in the mobile age. J. Learn. Des. 2(1), 52–65 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Stake, R.E.: The Case Study Method in Social Inquiry. Evaluation Models, pp. 279–286. Springer, Netherlands (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Stouffer, S.A.: Notes on the case-study and the unique case. Sociometry, 349–357 (1941). Regional Studies 39(1), 61–74 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kress, G.: Design and Transformation: New Theories of Meaning. In: Cope, B., Kalantzis, M. (eds.) pp. 153–161 in Multiliteracies: Literacy Learning and the Design of Social Futures, pp. 155–156, 158. Routledge, London (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  18. CBI/Pearson: Changing the pace – Education and Skills Survey (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Harris, M.: STEM paradox, is there really a shortage of STEM graduates in the workplace? Physics World (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  20. UKCES: The Labour Market Story: Skills for the Future, briefing paper 2014, UK Commission for Employment and Skills (2014). https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/344441/The_Labour_Market_Story-_Skills_for_the_Future.pdf

  21. Houghton, W., Maddocks, A.: Personal Development Planning for Engineering Students. Higher Education Academy, Engineering Subject Centre, Houghton (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  22. QAA: Recognising achievement beyond the curriculum (2013). http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/skills-for-employability

  23. Holley, D., Hobbs, M., Howlett, P., Sawyerr, W.: The chaotic science lab’: supporting trainee Science teachers a cross-departmental project. Anglia Ruskin Univ. Netw. 16, 51–58 (2013). http://hdl.handle.net/10540/303566

    Google Scholar 

  24. Dunleavy, M., Dede, C.: Augmented reality teaching and learning. In: Spector, J., Merrill, M., Elen, J., Bishop, M. (eds.) The handbook of research for educational communications and technology, pp. 735–745. Springer, New York (2014)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  25. Lee, K.: Augmented reality in education and training. TechTrends March 56(2), 12–21 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Aursasma: Aurasma website, HP software (2015). http://www.aurasma.com

  27. Brown, E., Hobbs, M., Gordon, M.: A Virtual World Environment for Group Work. Int. J. Web-Based Learn. Teach. Technol. 3(1), 1–12 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

    Mike Hobbs

  2. Bournemouth University, Poole, UK

    Debbie Holley

Authors
  1. Mike Hobbs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Debbie Holley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mike Hobbs .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Baltimore, Baltimore, USA

    Giovanni Vincenti

  2. IBAM - Istituto per i Beni, Italian National Research Council, Roma, Italy

    Alberto Bucciero

  3. Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Carlos Vaz de Carvalho

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering

About this paper

Cite this paper

Hobbs, M., Holley, D. (2016). Using Augmented Reality to Engage STEM Students with an Authentic Curriculum. In: Vincenti, G., Bucciero, A., Vaz de Carvalho, C. (eds) E-Learning, E-Education, and Online Training. eLEOT 2015. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 160. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28883-3_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28883-3_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28882-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28883-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation