Augmented Reality-Enhanced Learning : An evaluation of the possibilities of improving learning of Mechanics through an Augmented Reality application

Abstract: Students’ struggle to understand certain threshold concepts in mechanics is believed to be reducible by better visualization in the often very abstract field of physics. Technology is used to enhance and facilitate our lives in many ways, not to mention in education. This study investigates whether students’ understanding of the physical phenomenon torque could be improved through the use of visualization technology, AR specifically. The students in the course Mechanics I at KTH participated in the study by taking two tests on torque. In between those tests, a subgroup of students participated in a user study where they used an AR application to solve problems regarding torque. The results of the pre- and post-test indicated that the subgroup who used the app improved their understanding of torque to a greater extent than the ones who did not use the app. However, none of the results were statistically significant. Future research is encouraged to aim at gaining a larger sample size and introduce grades instead of just pass/fail on the pre and post-test in order to see more variance in the test results.