Augmented and Mixed Reality in Language Learning

Abstract

The use of Extended Reality technologies in education, and especially in language learning, has attracted the interest of language experts for the last 15 years. However, the recent technological progress as well as the simultaneous dramatic reduction of the cost of the necessary hardware has led to an impressive growth of the XR market, creating, thus, new perspectives concerning the adoption of XR technologies in education. The educational XR market is also growing very fast, not only thanks to the offer of innovative applications, but also due to technological developments in network technologies. Advances in wireless and cellular networks can make XR experiences more immersive and more accessible to local and remote users. This paper aims to present the current developments in the field of utilization of Augmented (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies in language education and to explore their future perspectives. Towards this end, AR/MR technologies, the theoretical bases of their use in language education, as well as the available for each technology hardware and software solutions are presented in more detail. Examples of AR/MR technologies in language learning applications, as well as the conclusions drawn from the literature review concerning the benefits and limitations AR/MR applications in language learning will also be presented. Finally, market data and future research directions will be discussed, in order to identify the perspectives of these technologies in language learning.

Virtuaalisuus ja videovälitteisyys kielenoppimisympäristöjen muokkaajana

“…Tämän ansiosta käyttäjä pystyy hyödyntämään AR-teknologiaa sellaisten taitojen tai sisältöjen opiskeluun, jossa on tarpeen säilyttää näköyhteys omaan kehoon, kuten esimerkiksi kirjoitustaidon tai viittomakielen opiskelussa (Parmaxi & Demetriou 2020). Kuten virtuaalitodellisuus, myös AR-teknologia ja sisältöjen uudenlainen esitystapa on nähty oppijan motivaatiota ja opetukseen sitoutumista lisäävänä vaihtoehtona (Panagiotidis 2021;Thorne ym. 2015).…”

The Development of Extended Reality in Education: Inspiration from the Research Literature

“…(5) special education [40]. Some studies have explored the effectiveness of technology application in education, such as biological experiments [41], and education related to art [42], language [43], music [44], healthcare [45], physical [46,47], and blended education [48].…”

“…Some hold that XR educa tional application scenarios relate to: (1) smart education product design; (2) implementa tion of game-based learning; (3) construction of smart learning environment; (4) design education; (5) special education [40]. Some studies have explored the effectiveness of tech nology application in education, such as biological experiments [41], and education re lated to art [42], language [43], music [44], healthcare [45], physical [46,47], and blended education [48].…”

A study on the application of mixed reality technology in experimental teaching in economic colleges and universities

“…Frost, J et al applied Mixed Reality (MR) technology to nursing education and found that the approach promoted nursing students' clinical judgment and skills in noticing patients' physical cues [20]. Panagiotidis, P argued that technological advances in wireless and cellular networks have facilitated XR experiences to be more immersive and accessible to both local and distance education, and he proposed that the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies in language education and explores their future prospects [21]. Ivkovic, I and Franch, S incorporate MR technologies into engineering education, which contribute to the enhancement of information about digital artifacts, three-dimensional objects, and views of audio and video, create enhanced blended learning environments, and significantly improve engineering students' engagement and learning outcomes [22].…”