An Emic Perspective on Students’ Learning Experiences Using Augmented Reality

Abstract

The existence of technology has helped learning activities to become more exciting and more meaningful. Augmented reality (AR) is one of the emerging technologies that has gained attention from educators, as it provides unique learning experiences to learners. This study seeks to understand learners’ experiences in using AR as part of their learning activities. Using a qualitative research approach, this study involved 24 university students who were enrolled on an Educational Technology course. The students were exposed to the use of AR so as to drive their motivation, and were required to develop their own AR projects as part of the course assessment. Data were generated through one-to-one interviews, which were later analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that students valued the use of AR as a tool that stimulated their creativity and critical thinking. Although students found their group AR task challenging, they agreed that the task fostered collaborative values in themselves and helped them expand their communication skills. This paper also discusses the potential of AR in developing the twenty-first century skills.