AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE LEARNERS’ SKILLS IN THE NEW NORMAL

Abstract

Augmented reality or often called for short that AR is technology that exhibits a virtual image in the real world. Currently, this technology has been widely applied to the education domain and responded to the development of essential skills to survive in the twenty-first century. AR is used to promote self-learning according to the constructivist theory, which believes that learning is a process arising within the learner. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has conducted to the new way of life, which is called the “new normal”, in which people avoid seeing each other, as well as minimize congestion at all places and contact. For this reason, teaching and learning have been adapted to online learning; the learning is carried out in front of an electronic device’s screen and emphasizes lectures. Consequently, the learner is bored and lacks concentration. Moreover, online learning class has a negative impact on the learner’s understanding, due to some lessons or activities require equipment or a supportive model to promote more substantial understanding. Therefore, AR is an alternative to resolve this problem. The adaptation of AR to active learning would thus create a positive learning environment, as the learner could see the materials as if they were viewing the actual materials and equipment. This article would explain the principle of AR, components of AR, benefits and limitations of AR, the application of AR to the learner’s skills development in terms of language, analytical thinking, visual, and spatial, and the adaptation of AR to the new normal learning.