Altered Realities: How Virtual and Augmented Realities Are Supporting Learning

Introduction

Both virtual and augmented reality technologies have been available for some time and the demand for these two technologies is growing. According to a recent publication, the global augmented and virtual reality market is forecast to reach $94.4 billion by 2023. The increased demand for this stems mainly from the retail and e-commerce sectors (Cision PR Newswire, 2018). These technologies are also starting to have a greater impact in school classrooms in many countries due to increased sophistication and reduced costs. These technologies allow for experiences that would otherwise not be possible for students.

In considering virtual reality (VR), two types exist; low immersion (also referred to as desktop VR) and high immersion VR (generally involving a head-mounted display (Lee &Wong, 2014). “In desktop VR, the virtual reality environment (VRE) is displayed on a conventional PC monitor with sound coming through speakers and the interaction is controlled through a regular computer mouse” (Makransky, Terkildsen & Mayer, 2017, p. 2).

The technologies that currently support high-end immersion virtual reality include systems such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. These technologies require a powerful computer to run them which not all schools possess. Both of these systems have the headset tethered to the computer. Oculus Go has recently introduced a system which does not require the goggles to be tethered to a computer.

At the next level of sophistication, which does not require as much high end computer software, are the PlayStation and Samsung. The PlayStation is tethered whilst the Samsung is not, but it requires a Smartphone. At the bottom end is Google Cardboard, which also requires a Smartphone. Plastic headsets can also be purchased in which smart phones running VR apps can be inserted.

Azuma (1997) defines augmented reality (AR) as a system or visualization technique that has three characteristics: “1) Combines real and virtual 2) Interactive in real time 3) Registered in 3D” (p. 2). Augmented reality has been used in various media and systems for decades, e.g. head-up displays in fighter planes, scoreboards in sportscasts (Seppälä et al., 2016). It is now being used to support educational practices. In fact, it has been asserted that education is one of the most promising application areas for AR (Wu, Lee, Chang, & Liang, 2013). Augmented reality, using a device's camera to overlay information on the real world, can be experienced via a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet, usually through an app. There are also headsets or glasses that can be worn that will overlay this information. AR allows virtual information to be superimposed onto physical objects and environments. AR can either superimpose real-world objects into a virtual environment or bring virtual objects into reality (Milgram & Kishino, 1994). Additionally, research evidence suggests that AR can increase student motivation in the learning process (Bujak et al., 2013).

The popularity of Pokémon Go successfully introduced AR to a broader audience (Wingfield & Isaac, 2016) demonstrating how it can be used for entertainment purposes. There are many important ways it, and other AR apps can also support educational outcomes, some of which are explored in this chapter.

The area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education is now a major focus of politicians and economists who recognise that professionals will be needed for innovation and economics globally (Eisenhart, Weis, Allen, Cipollone & Stich, 2015). In response to this recognition, many school systems are now turning to both virtual and augmented reality to support learning in this area. A focus of the chapter will be to explore how VR and AR are being used to support STEM-based learning with a focus on Science and will also examine how AR is being used to support informal learning. Non-STEM subjects including, Physical Education, the Creative Arts and Geography, are also explored.