How To Use Augmented Reality to Enhance History Lessons?

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What is Augmented Reality? Augmented Reality (AR) is an immersive experience in which digital information is overlayed onto physical objects in real-time (Akçayır & Akçayır, 2017; Fan et al., 2020).

Types of Augmented Reality Two levels based on their tracking techniques: (a) image-based AR: including marker-based solutions that use image recognition techniques to track an object and its position. (b) location-based AR uses position data to identify an object and its position (Fan et al., 2020 ).

Using Augmented Reality in the Classroom The productivity and popularity of the AR technology stemmed from the easiness of adopting it through devices that are no longer costly or complicated such as mobiles and tablets (Akçayır & Akçayır, 2017). Therefore, educators become able to create and design interactive and engaging learning experiences. Besides, AR is a user-friendly tool that educators could easily use with printed materials (Nadolny, 2017). Many scholars confirmed that AR is not exclusive to a particular educational stage as it can be used functionally from elementary stages to higher education (Ferrer-Torregrosa et al., 2015; Yang et al., 2018; Lai et al., 2019; İbili et al., 2020; Eleni et al., 2020). Most studies related to AR in education have revealed its potential for enhancing learning outcomes in different subjects, including but not limited to Math, Chemistry, and language learning (Bursali & Yilmaz, 2019; Bursali & Yilmaz, 2019; Fan et al., 2020; Hsu, 2017). One of the key advantages of AR is that it offers

students entertainment yet learning immersive, which can motivate students and engage them better in learning activities. (Cai et al., 2019).

Using AR for Teaching and Learning History History is usually quite dull for some students in various grades, and keeping their attention requires a great effort from their teachers. AR is effective as media in history learning. (Kysela & Štorková, 2015; Remolar et al., 2021; Utami & Lutfi, 2019). Augmented reality has great potential to bring history to life via immersive learning experience. The blog writer suggested using an Augmented reality app to help students easily comprehend the history content of history lessons. She proposed developing an AR book in which students can interact with the other characters. The AR-mediated materials used in her study drew on the tenets of the flow theory. She also suggested developing an augmented reality book in the form of an animation film designed around one of the history topics. When students scan the book, and when the 3D characters appear on the screens, students can choose one of these characters, listen to the dialogue next to each character and then voice the dialogue of their characters when it's their turn. See (Hassan, 2022). However, Some challenges and considerations should be taken into inconsideration when using AR in educational settings.

Challenges Arising When Using AR in the Classroom Akçayır & Akçayır (2017) listed the challenges arising when using AR in the Classroom as follows: difficult for students to use, requires more time, has low sensitivity in triggering recognition, GPS errors cause student frustration, is t suitable for large group teaching, causes technical problems (camera, Internet, indoor use), causes cognitive overload, distracts students' attention, expensive technology, large file size limits the sharing of content, ergonomic problems, difficult to design, and inadequate teacher ability to use the technology.

Considerations When Using AR in the Classroom

Some considerations should be taken into account when using AR in educational settings. Fan et al. (2020) noted that some aspects should be given attention when using AR. Those aspects include providing adequate blended instructions with AR applications, considering teachers' roles and level of participation in an AR instruction, designing strategies to support a positive collaborative learning environment providing effective blended instructions with AR applications, considering teachers' roles and level of participation in an AR instruction, and offering easy access for teachers to update AR contents.

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