Augmented Reality: The Emerging Trend in Education

Professor Minjuan Wang
San Diego State University
USA
E-mail: mwang@mail.sdsu.edu
 

Abstract: Augmented Reality (AR) is the layering of virtual information over the real, 3-D world to produce a blended reality. AR has been considered a significant tool in education for many years. It adds new layers of interactivity, context, and information for learners which can deepen and enrich the learning experience. The combination of real and virtual allows the student to engage in learning about a topic from multiple perspectives and data sources at levels that are not always available in traditional classroom settings and interactions.
As the usage of mobile devices in formal settings continues to rise, so does the opportunity to harness the power of augmented reality (AR) to enhance teaching and learning. Many educators have experimented with AR, but has it proven to improve what students grasp and retain? Is AR just another fun way to engage students, with little transformation of learning? This plenary speaking will introduce augmented reality as an emerging trend in education, provide an overview of its current development, explore examples of curriculum integration, and also suggest approaches for success.

Short biography: Dr. Minjuan Wang (Professor of San Diego State University; Distinguished Research Professor of Shanghai International Studies University)
Homepage: http://www.tinyurl.com/minjuan
Minjuan is Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology at San Diego State University (California, USA), and distinguished professor of Shanghai International Studies University (Shanghai, China). She was recently selected as the �Oriental Scholar� by the Municipal Educational Committee of Shanghai). In addition, she and her American colleagues obtained a four-year 1.3 million grant to study environment protection (including the Golden monkeys) in Fanjingshan, Guizhou province.
Minjuan�s work has been highly interdisciplinary, covering the field of education, technology, computer science, geography, and communication. In her 14 years at SDSU, she teaches Designing and Developing Learning for the Global Audience, Mobile Learning Development, Technologies for Course Delivery, and Methods of Inquiry. Her research specialties focus on online learning, mobile learning, Cloud Learning, and intelligent learning (as part of the Intelligent Camps initiative launched by British Telecom). Minjuan is the Editor-in-Chief of a newly established journal-- EAI Transactions on Future Intelligent Educational Environments. She also serves on the editorial boards for four indexed journals: Open Education Research, International Journal on E-Learning (IJEL), the Open Education Journal, and Journal of Information Technology Application in Education.
As a winner of several research awards, Minjuan is recognized as one of the high impact authors in blended and mobile learning. She has more than 80 peer-reviewed articles published in indexed journals, such as Educational Technology Research and Development, IEEE Transactions on Education, and British Journal of Educational Technology. She was a keynote and invited speaker to 11 international conferences. In addition, she is also an accomplished creative writer and an amateur flamenco dancer. Her recent Novel--Walking in this Beautiful World�has inspired many young people around the world..