The Effect of Augmented Reality on Students’ Learning Performance in Stem Education

Provide the citation and attach a pdf of the article.

Petrov, P. D., & Atanasova, T. V. (2020). The Effect of Augmented Reality on Students’ Learning Performance in Stem Education. Information, 11(4), 209. https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/11/4/209/htm

PDF Link: The Effect of Augmented Reality on Students’ Learning Performance in Stem Education.

What is the abstract of the article?  

The effect of one of the most popular 3D visualization and modelling technologies with haptic and touch feedback possibilities—augmented reality (AR)—is analysed herein. That includes a specific solution, incorporating augmented reality. A case study for delivering STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) content using this tool at one secondary school in Sofia is presented. The experience gained in one school year of using facilities for a STEM enrichment program has been examined

Was the study experimental or non-experimental? 

The study was experimental. After taking tests without the use of the augmented reality software, the students were then given the AR tool to see if test scores would increase.

Was the research qualitative or quantitative?

This study was quantitative. The children’s’ test scores were documented before and after the use of the AR tool.

What was the population studied?

The population as a bigger picture is all students in the world because the findings in this experiment can be applied to every student/school. In this specific study, the population is all students in a school in Sofia, Bulgaria.

What sample was used for this study?

The sample was 80 randomly chose students from the school, as indicated on page 6.

What was the method of measurement?

The students’ scores were used as the method of measurement. Those test scores are an interval level of measurement. The study did not specifically say what the scores were measured out of (no maximum or minimum score).

What was the method of analysis?

The students took a test without the zSpace AR tool, and then used the zSpace AR tool to review the material for another test. Both test scores were documented to show a significance in the difference. Simple calculations were done to find the standard deviation, mean value, etc., of the groups’ data.

What was the conclusion of the study?

The researchers found that when using the zSpace AR tool, the students’ scores were higher than without the tool. Although this study was small (only 80 students were sampled), the researchers believe that with any sample size the results will be the same. When AR technology is used in education, students can be more engaged and learn the material much better than without it.

Why is this study useful to you?

This study relates to my original topic at the beginning of the semester: How does Augmented Reality play a role in education? Even though it was a small study, this experiment helps me believe that AR is beneficial to the students, and maybe even the teachers. More research like this can help me finalize the information on my topic

What would be the next logical step in extending this study? 

I think the next step would be to do this study on a larger sample size to get a more general conclusion. If experiments like this keep providing the same beneficial result on larger scales, then I think that augmented reality should start to be included in the classroom.

About Ryan Zoglmann

Hi my name is Ryan Zoglmann and I am from Conway Springs, Kansas. I am a junior here at FHSU majoring in computer networking. I enjoy playing video games, working out, and having fun with my friends. Keeping up with the latest technology is a guilty pleasure that I have. Every time a new phone, smartwatch, or video game console releases I always get excited about potentially owning them.

2 thoughts on “The Effect of Augmented Reality on Students’ Learning Performance in Stem Education

  1. The use of AR in education looks to be promising. Having technology like this appears to make learning a more interactive process. It could appeal to those who are more kinesthetic learners and be useful in a variety of subjects. Hopefully, its development and use continues.

  2. The study that you chose to do an article review on is quite interesting! I admire how simple you break down the information into a simple review. I would love to see this experiment done on a bigger sample size to see if the conclusion stays true to the one presented in this study.

    I also think deeper research is needed to understand why AR technology is causing higher test scores. Is it the connection children have with technology at this time making them more comfortable, or could it be the hands-on learning style that the AR tech provides?

    The conclusion of this research leans that AR tech has a positive effect on schooling, but is it just a facade study that supports a narrative. I think clarification is required on why the researchers only tested 80 subjects. I think the concept of the study is present, but the test sampling needs to happen nationwide to have any effect on schools changing their curriculum.

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