AR helps study external objects; VR teleports students

dubai — Besides virtual reality, there is another technology being used in classrooms to aid in teaching and learning — augmented reality (AR).

AR is where students can use their mobile phones to superimpose a computer-generated image onto any surface in the real world, which is visible only on the screen.

AR is often the more affordable choice for schools as it is usually free of cost, whereas, VR headsets can range from Dh900 to Dh3,000 each. Educators in Dubai have also been using AR as a learning tool within classrooms.

“Both AR and VR have existed for quite some time now and I think they both have their own merit and could be effective based on the content and topic that is being covered. AR is more suited to a situation where you want to bring external learning objects into your environment whereas VR is more about virtually teleporting students to another environment. AR currently has an advantage of being

The next step is the merger of the two and that is where mixed reality comes in — where the real and virtual worlds are merged to create a new environment that you can interact with in real time.” David Talbert, head of technology innovation, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park

more financially viable than VR because of the costing of equipment and content, but this is changing at a rapid pace,” said Ritesh Dhanak, supervisor of digital learning at GEMS Modern Academy.

“We use both these technologies in our classrooms — our early years use more of AR while upper primary to senior school use VR. While technology plays a big part in helping students learn, the use of them will always our pedagogy that defines what we use.”

David Talbert, head of technology innovation at the Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, said that both, AR and VR, can be effective learning tools. “Virtual reality immerses the students and can take them to places and inside the human body. Whereas, AR, you can have a heart in front of your desk and interact with it but you are limited to holding a device to experience it. The next step is the merger of the two, and that is where mixed reality comes in — where the real and virtual worlds are merged to create a new environment so that you can interact with in real time. This will be an effective learning tool,” he said.