Abstract
Augmented reality (AR) is an important technology to enhance learning experiences. Many studies have been conducted to establish the tendencies, affordances and challenges of this technology in educational settings. However, these studies have little analyzed important issues such as the special needs of specific users or the impact of AR on education through the quantitative analysis of the data. This paper presents a literature review that covers 61 studies published between 2012 and 2018 in scientific journals and conference proceedings. As a result, it identifies the status and tendencies in the usage of AR in education, the impact of this technology on learning processes, open questions as well as opportunities and challenges for developers and practitioners. The results indicate that AR has a medium effect on learning effectiveness (d = .64, p < .001). The most reported advantages of AR systems in education are “learning gains” and “motivation.” Otherwise, it is also important to mention that only one of the AR systems of the studies includes accessibility features, which represents a setback in terms of social inclusion. Therefore, given the apparent multiple benefits of using AR systems in educational settings, stakeholders have great opportunities to develop new and better systems that benefit all learners. This technology covers a wide range of topics, target groups, academic levels and more. This could be an indicator that AR is achieving maturity and has successfully taken root in educational settings.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akçayir M, Akçayir G (2017) Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality for education: a systematic review of the literature. Educ Res Rev 20:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2016.11.002
Akçayir M, Akçayir G, Pektaş HM, Ocak MA (2016) Augmented reality in science laboratories: the effects of augmented reality on university students’ laboratory skills and attitudes toward science laboratories. Comput Hum Behav 57:334–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.12.054
Antonioli M, Blake C, Sparks K (2014) Augmented reality applications in education. J Technol Stud 40(1):96–107
Azuma R (1997) A survey of augmented reality. Presence Teleoper Virtual Environ 6(4):355–385. https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.1997.6.4.355
Bacca J, Fabregat R, Baldiris S, Graf S, Kinshuk (2014a) Augmented reality trends in education: a systematic review of research and applications. Educ Technol Soc 17:133–149
Bacca J, Fabregat R, Baldiris S, Graf S, Kinshuk (2014b) Augmented reality trends in education: a systematic review of research and applications. Educ Technol Soc 17(4):133–149
Bacca J, Baldiris S, Fabregat R, Kinshuk, Graf S (2015) Mobile augmented reality in vocational education and training. Procedia Comput Sci 75(Vare):49–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.12.203
Barma S, Daniel S, Bacon N, Gingras M-A, Fortin M (2015) Observation and analysis of a classroom teaching and learning practice based on augmented reality and serious games on mobile platforms. Int J Ser Games 2(2):69–88. https://doi.org/10.17083/ijsg.v2i2.66
Bernard RM, Abrami PC, Lou Y, Borokhovski E, Wade A, Wozney L et al (2004) How does distance education compare with classroom instruction? A meta-analysis of the empirical literature. Rev Educ Res 74(3):379–439. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074003379
Blake MB, Butcher-Green JD (2009) Agent-customized training for human learning performance enhancement. Comput Educ 53(3):966–976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2009.05.014
Borenstein M, Hedges LV, Higgins JPT, Rothstein HR (2010) A basic introduction to fixed-effect and random-effects models for meta-analysis. Res Synth Methods 1(2):97–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.12
Bower M, Howe C, McCredie N, Robinson A, Grover D (2014) Augmented reality in education-cases, places and potentials. Educ Media Int 51(1):1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523987.2014.889400
Bujak KR, Radu I, Catrambone R, MacIntyre B, Zheng R, Golubski G (2013) A psychological perspective on augmented reality in the mathematics classroom. Comput Educ 68:536–544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.02.017
Cai S, Chiang FK, Wang X (2013) Using the augmented reality 3D technique for a convex imaging experiment in a physics course. Int J Eng Educ 29(4):856–865
Cai S, Chiang FK, Sun Y, Lin C, Lee JJ (2017) Applications of augmented reality-based natural interactive learning in magnetic field instruction. Interact Learn Environ 25(6):778–791. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2016.1181094
Calle-Bustos AM, Juan MC, García-García I, Abad F (2017) An augmented reality game to support therapeutic education for children with diabetes. PLoS ONE 12(9):e0184645. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184645
Carmigniani J, Furht B, Anisetti M, Ceravolo P, Damiani E, Ivkovic M (2011) Augmented reality technologies, systems and applications. Multimed Tools Appl 51(1):341–377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-010-0660-6
Chang HY, Wu HK, Hsu YS (2013) Integrating a mobile augmented reality activity to contextualize student learning of a socioscientific issue. Br J Educ Technol 44(3):95–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2012.01379.x
Chang KE, Chang CT, Hou HT, Sung YT, Chao HL, Lee CM (2014) Development and behavioral pattern analysis of a mobile guide system with augmented reality for painting appreciation instruction in an art museum. Comput Educ 71:185–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.09.022
Chang YL, Hou HT, Pan CY, Sung YT, Chang KE (2015) Apply an augmented reality in a mobile guidance to increase sense of place for heritage places. Educ Technol Soc 18(2):166–178
Chauhan S (2016) A meta-analysis of the impact of technology on learning effectiveness of elementary students. Comput Educ 105:14–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.11.005
Chen CM, Tsai YN (2012) Interactive augmented reality system for enhancing library instruction in elementary schools. Comput Educ 59(2):638–652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.03.001
Chen CH, Chou YY, Huang CY (2016) An augmented-reality-based concept map to support mobile learning for science. Asia Pac Educ Res 25(4):567–578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-016-0284-3
Chen P, Liu X, Cheng W, Huang R (2017) A review of using augmented reality in education from 2011 to 2016. Innov Smart Learn. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2419-1
Cheng KH, Tsai C (2013) Affordances of augmented reality in science learning: suggestions for future research. J Sci Educ Technol 22(4):449–462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-012-9405-9
Chiang THC, Yang SJH, Hwang GJ (2014) Students’ online interactive patterns in augmented reality-based inquiry activities. Comput Educ 78:97–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.05.006
Chiu JL, DeJaegher CJ, Chao J (2015) The effects of augmented virtual science laboratories on middle school students’ understanding of gas properties. Comput Educ. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2015.02.007
Cochran WG (1954) The combination of estimates from different experiments. Biometrics 10(1):101–129
Cohen J (1968) Weighted kappa: nominal scale agreement provision for scaled disagreement or partial credit. Psychol Bull 70(4):213
Cohen J (1992) A power primer. Psychol Bull 112(1):155–159. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155
Cuendet S, Bonnard Q, Do-Lenh S, Dillenbourg P (2013) Designing augmented reality for the classroom. Comput Educ 68:557–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.02.015
Di Serio Á, Ibáñez MB, Kloos CD (2013) Impact of an augmented reality system on students’ motivation for a visual art course. Comput Educ 68:585–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.03.002
Diegmann P, Schmidt-kraepelin M, Eynden S Van Den, Basten D (2015) Benefits of augmented reality in educational environments—a systematic literature review. Benefits 3(6(2015)):1542–1556
Eishita FZ, Stanley KG (2018) The impact on player experience in augmented reality outdoor games of different noise models. Entertain Comput 27:137–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2018.04.006
Ferrer-Torregrosa J, Torralba J, Jimenez MA, García S, Barcia JM (2015) ARBOOK: development and assessment of a tool based on augmented reality for anatomy. J Sci Educ Technol 24(1):119–124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-014-9526-4
Fraga-Lamas P, Fernández-Caramés TM, Blanco-Novoa Ó, Vilar-Montesinos MA (2018) A review on industrial augmented reality systems for the industry 4.0 Shipyard. IEEE Access 6:13358–13375. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2808326
Garzón J, Pavón J, Baldiris S (2017) Augmented reality applications for education: five directions for future research. In: International conference on augmented reality, virtual reality and computer graphics, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 402–414. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40651-0
Glass GV (1976) Primary, secondary, and meta-analysis of research. Educ Res 5(10):3–8. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X005010003
Hedges L, Olkin I (2014) Statistical methods for meta-analysis. Academic Press, London
Herpich F, Jardim RR, Nunes FB, Voss GB, Fontoura LM, Medina RD (2014) Virtual lab: an immersive tool to assist in the teaching of software engineering. In: 2014 XVI symposium on virtual and augmented reality (SVR). pp 118–126. https://doi.org/10.1109/SVR.2014.36
Higgins JPT, Thompson SG (2002) Quantifying heterogeneity in a meta-analysis. Stat Med 21(11):1539–1558. https://doi.org/10.1002/sim.1186
Hsiao KF (2013) Using augmented reality for students health—case of combining educational learning with standard fitness. Multimed Tools Appl 64(2):407–421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-011-0985-9
Hsiao KF, Chen NS, Huang SY (2012) Learning while exercising for science education in augmented reality among adolescents. Interact Learn Environ 20(4):331–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2010.486682
Huedo-Medina TB, Sánchez-Meca J, Marín-Martínez F, Botella J (2006) Assessing heterogeneity in meta-analysis: Q statistic or I2 index? Psychol Med 11(2), 193–206
Ibanez MB, Di Serio A, Villaran D, Delgado Kloos C (2016) Support for augmented reality simulation systems: the effects of scaffolding on learning outcomes and behavior patterns. IEEE Trans Learn Technol 9(1):46–56. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2015.2445761
Ibáñez MB, Di Serio Á, Villarán D, Delgado Kloos C (2014) Experimenting with electromagnetism using augmented reality: impact on flow student experience and educational effectiveness. Comput Educ 71:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.09.004
Jee HK, Lim S, Youn J, Lee J (2014) An augmented reality-based authoring tool for E-learning applications. Multimed Tools Appl 68(2):225–235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-011-0880-4
Joo-Nagata J, Martinez Abad F, García-Bermejo Giner J, García-Peñalvo FJ (2017) Augmented reality and pedestrian navigation through its implementation in m-learning and e-learning: evaluation of an educational program in Chile. Comput Educ 111:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2017.04.003
Juan MC, Alexandrescu L, Folguera F, García-García I (2016) A mobile augmented reality system for the learning of dental morphology. Dig Educ Rev 30:234–247
Karagozlu D (2018) Determination of the impact of augmented reality application on the success and problem-solving skills of students. Qual Quant 52(5):2393–2402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0674-5
Kelley K, Preacher KJ (2012) On effect size. Psychol Methods 17(2):137–152. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028086
Kitchenham B, Charters S (2007) Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering version 2.3. Engineering 45(4ve):1051. https://doi.org/10.1145/1134285.1134500
Lancaster HO, Seneta E (2005) Chi square distribution. Encycl Biostat. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470011815.b2a15018
Lee K (2012) Augmented reality in education and training. TechTrends 56(2):13–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-012-0559-3
Lin TJ, Duh HBL, Li N, Wang HY, Tsai CC (2013) An investigation of learners’ collaborative knowledge construction performances and behavior patterns in an augmented reality simulation system. Comput Educ 68:314–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.05.011
Liou HH, Yang SJH, Chen SY, Tarng W (2017) The influences of the 2D image-based augmented reality and virtual reality on student learning. Educ Technol and Soc 20(3):110–121
Medina M, García C, Olguín M (2018) Planning and allocation of digital learning objects with augmented reality to higher education students according to the VARK model. Int J Interact Multimed Artif Intell 5(2):53–57. https://doi.org/10.9781/ijimai.2018.02.005
Mekni M, Lemieux A (2014) Augmented reality: applications, challenges and future trends. Appl Comput Sci 205214
Morris SB (2008) Estimating effect sizes from pretest–posttest-control group designs. Organ Res Methods 11(2):364–386. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428106291059
Morris SB, DeShon RP (2002) Combining effect size estimates in meta-analysis with repeated measures and independent-groups designs. Psychol Methods 7(1):105–125. https://doi.org/10.1037//1082-989X.7.1.105
Mumtaz K, Iqbal MM, Khalid S, Rafiq T, Owais SM, Achhab MA (2017) An E-assessment framework for blended learning with augmented reality to enhance the student learning. Eurasia J Math Sci Technol Educ 13(8):4419–4436. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00938a
Palmarini R, Erkoyuncu JA, Roy R, Torabmostaedi H (2018) A systematic review of augmented reality applications in maintenance. Robot Comput Integrated Manuf 49(July 2017):215–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2017.06.002
Parhizkar B, Obeidy WK, Chowdhury SA, Mohana Gebril Z, Ngan MNA, Habibi Lashkari A (2012) Android mobile augmented reality application based on different learning theories for primary school children. In: 2012 international conference on multimedia computing and systems, (February 2016). pp 404–408. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMCS.2012.6320114
Radu I (2012) Why should my students use AR? A comparative review of the educational impacts of augmented-reality. In: ISMAR 2012—11th IEEE international symposium on mixed and augmented reality 2012, science and technology papers. pp 313–314. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISMAR.2012.6402590
Radu I (2014) Augmented reality in education: a meta-review and cross-media analysis. Pers Ubiquit Comput 18(6):1533–1543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-013-0747-y
Roberto R, Freitas D, Lima JP, Teichrieb V, Kelner J (2011) ARBlocks: a concept for a dynamic blocks platform for educational activities. In: Proceedings—2011 13th symposium on virtual reality, SVR 2011. pp 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1109/SVR.2011.19
Rojas-Muñoz E, Cabrera ME, Andersen D, Popescu V, Marley S, Mullis B et al (2018) Surgical telementoring without encumbrance: a comparative study of see-through augmented reality-based approaches. Ann Surg. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000002764
Safar AH (2017) The effectiveness of using augmented reality apps in teaching the English alphabet to kindergarten children: a case study in the state of Kuwait. EURASIA J Math Sci Technol Educ 13(2):417–440. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00624a
Santos MEC, Chen A, Taketomi T, Yamamoto G, Miyazaki J, Kato H (2014) Augmented reality learning experiences: survey of prototype design and evaluation. IEEE Trans Learn Technol 7(1):38–56. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2013.37
Sawilowsky SS (2009) New effect size rules of thumb. J Modern Appl Stat Methods 8(2):597–599
Schmitz B, Klemke R, Walhout J, Specht M (2015) Attuning a mobile simulation game for school children using a design-based research approach. Comput Educ 81:35–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.09.001
Sommerauer P, Müller O (2014) Augmented reality in informal learning environments: a field experiment in a mathematics exhibition. Comput Educ 79:59–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.07.013
Statista (2015) Share of mobile device owners worldwide from 2011 to 2016, by number of devices owned. Retrieved from April 5, 2017. https://www.statista.com/statistics/245501/multiple-mobile-device-ownership-worldwide/
Tamim RM, Bernard RM, Borokhovski E, Abrami PC, Schmid RF (2011) what forty years of research says about the impact of technology on learning: a second-order meta-analysis and validation study. Rev Educ Res 81(1):4–28. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654310393361
Tarng W, Ou K-L, Yu C-S, Liou F-L, Liou H-H (2015) Development of a virtual butterfly ecological system based on augmented reality and mobile learning technologies. Virtual Real 19(3–4):253–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-015-0265-5
Tarng W, Lin YS, Lin CP, Ou K-L (2016) Development of a lunar-phase observation system based on augmented reality and mobile learning technologies. Mobile Inf Syst 2016:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1109/IWCMC.2013.6583638
Tarng W, Ou KL, Lu YC, Shih YS, Liou HH (2018) A sun path observation system based on augment reality and mobile learning. Mobile Inf Syst 2018:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5950732
Tekedere H, Göker H (2016) Examining the effectiveness of augmented reality applications in education: a meta-analysis. Int J Environ Sci Educ 11(16):9469–9481
Tosik Gün E, Atasoy B (2017) The effects of augmented reality on elementary school students’ spatial ability and academic achievement. Egitim ve Bilim. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2017.7140
Turan Z, Meral E, Sahin IF (2018) The impact of mobile augmented reality in geography education: achievements, cognitive loads and views of university students. J Geogr Higher Educ 42(3):427–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2018.1455174
UNESCO (2011) The international standard classification of education 2011. Comparative social research. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0195-6310(2013)0000030017
Vanderheiden G, Treviranus J (2011) LNCS 6765—creating a global public inclusive infrastructure. Univ Access Hum Comput Interact Des All Incl 6765:517–526. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21672-5_57
WAI (2016) Web accessibility initiative. Retrieved from Oct 22, 2016. https://www.w3.org/WAI/mobile/
Wang YH (2017) Using augmented reality to support a software editing course for college students. J Comput Assist Learn 33(5):532–546. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12199
Wei X, Weng D, Liu Y, Wang Y (2015) Teaching based on augmented reality for a technical creative design course. Comput Educ 81:221–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.10.017
Wu HK, Lee SWY, Chang HY, Liang JC (2013) Current status, opportunities and challenges of augmented reality in education. Comput Educ 62:41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.10.024
Yim MYC, Chu SC, Sauer PL (2017) Is augmented reality technology an effective tool for e-commerce? An interactivity and vividness perspective. J Interact Market 39:89–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2017.04.001
Zhang J, Sung YT, Hou HT, Chang KE (2014) The development and evaluation of an augmented reality-based armillary sphere for astronomical observation instruction. Comput Educ 73:178–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.01.003
Acknowledgements
Funding was provided by Universidad Católica de Oriente (201630).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Garzón, J., Pavón, J. & Baldiris, S. Systematic review and meta-analysis of augmented reality in educational settings. Virtual Reality 23, 447–459 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-019-00379-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-019-00379-9