A Review of Augmented Reality Apps for an AR-Based STEM Education Framework

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of augmented reality applications in STEM education, highlighting their current adoption, benefits, and proposing a framework for integrating AR into smart campus strategies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of AR applications in STEM education and proposes a framework for school administrators to facilitate AR integration.

Findings

AR is increasingly used in K-12 and expected in higher education soon.

AR can address resource limitations in STEM labs and classrooms.

A framework is proposed for implementing AR in educational settings.

Abstract

Within the past two decades, Augmented Reality (AR) applications have received increased attention. Augmented Reality is now widely used in the education sector at level K to 12. AR is expected to be generally adopted in two to three years in higher education and four to five years in K to 12. Applying AR technology in the education sector especially in STEM subjects, can result in having a smart campus. In adopting a SMART Campus strategy, education practitioners must address many intrinsic issues in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research. For example, in physics, there are expensive or insufficient laboratory systems, system faults, and difficulty simulating other experimental circumstances. In technology, many schools do not have enough computers. In engineering, there are only a few instructors who are knowledgeable in computer aided design (CAD). In mathematics, few teachers incorporate technology into their lessons often because they believe it is still better to teach through the traditional methods. Hence, In this paper we discuss how AR is being used now in different learning areas in STEM to open new doors to researchers and teachers as they transition their schools into SMART campuses with the use of AR apps. Aligned with this, a suggested framework for school administrators and policymakers is proposed based on a review of the positive benefits of different AR apps.