The Use of AR in Secondary Education: Educational Augmented Reality Material to Enhance Students’ Digital and Social Skills

Abstract

The aim of this study was the design, the development and the evaluation of an innovative educational augmented reality (AR) material, in order to investigate the contribution of AR in increasing motivation and cooperation among secondary school students. At the same time, it was studied the possibility of enhancing the social and digital skills of the students in the context of an educational mobile learning scenario based on situated learning. The methodology that was used is Design-Based Research (DBR). Among other things, the usefulness and the ease of use of the material, its advantages, as well as the factors that could prevent its implementation in teaching practice were studied. Postgraduate students with excellent knowledge of ICT in education, teachers and secondary school students participated in its evaluation through interviews and questionnaires based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The major findings showed that the material achieves its purpose, develops skills, is easy to use and has been generally accepted by teachers and students; however, it requires improvements regarding its design and solutions for the technical access problems that arose during its practical implementation.