2.8 Assignment Critical Reflection Journal – Blog

Augmented Reality

What is new to my thinking or learning this past week?

            To get a clear understanding of this week’s topic, one must ask the question, “What is augmented reality?” Augmented reality superimposes sounds, videos, and graphics onto an existing background. AR uses four main components to superimpose images on current backgrounds, including cameras and sensors, processing, projection, and reflection. Each of these components provides an individual function. Cameras and sensors can detect an image’s depth or calculate the distance between two objects before superimposing digital content atop the user’s view. Projection and reflection add virtual information to what a user sees. Project projection mapping enables AR apps to digitally overlay video onto any physical surface.

            To be completely transparent, this information is entirely new to me.  I did not grow up in the information age and had never personally used technology like AR before.  I remember my Sunday School teaching using a “flannelgraph” to tell Bible stories weekly. In school, the teacher used a chalkboard and flashcards, and we had worksheets to complete that were printed on a mimeograph machine with purple ink. 

            After reading more about AR this week, I have understood that AR has many uses across many industries.  They include engineering, medicine or healthcare, retail, manufacturing, entertainment, space exploration, and by the military and Department of Defense. In addition, AR is used in the business world in several ways, including business presentations, prototyping, R&D, and training programs.  As new technologies emerge and smartphones are widespread, educators are increasingly expected to use AR in the classroom.

How has this new information challenged me? How has this stretched my professional growth and development?

            While new technologies emerge daily, the biggest challenge for me, personally and professionally, is to stay in tune with the constant and ever-changing changes in technology, especially as it relates to its use in the educational setting.  Using AR in classroom education gives students an outstanding and more interactive education. AR enables teachers to show virtual examples of concepts and add gaming elements while providing textbook material support. By implementing AR in the classroom, students can learn faster and memorize information.

            One of the challenges many educators had when transitioning from in-person learning to online learning at the outset of the recent COVID-19 Pandemic and students had to learn from home; many educators found keeping students engaged in lectures very challenging.  AR in the educational classroom allows students to gain knowledge through appealing visuals and immersion in the subject matter. Additionally, speech technology can help students engage by providing comprehensive details about the topic in a voice format.

What are the implications of this week’s learning on my professional practice?

            The implications of AR are significant in a variety of ways, specifically when it comes to textbooks.  Augmented Reality (AR) can replace textbooks, physical forms, posters, and printed brochures. As mobile learning continues to gain prominence in education, it can also reduce the cost of learning materials and makes it easy for everyone to access.

Augmented Reality (AR) can bring a breakthrough to the traditional education system by transforming the learning experience. As an educator, I need to stay in touch with the present reality and learn more about technology like AR to remain practical and relevant.  AR will also impact students’ interest and make learning more efficient. It will also help students comprehend concepts in an immersive environment, simplifying concepts and making learning easy. Educational institutions and school districts will also remain competitive and relevant by offering excellent learning experiences using the latest technological advances.

How can these new learnings be used to impact my personal faith journey and my impact for the Kingdom?

            Scripture tells us that while no one knows when the second coming of Jesus Christ will be, there are scriptures that give us a glimpse into things that must occur.  One of those, I believe, is everyone hearing the gospel in their native tongue.  Missionaries today, more than ever, have been using technology to reach even some of the most remote areas of the world using things like “The Jesus Film.” 

According to their website, as of 2002, there have been 5 billion showings with 700 translations. When I think about the billions of lives that this medium of sharing the gospel has reached, we’ve fulfilled scripture and reached everyone with the good news of Jesus Christ, yet we are still here, and Christ has not returned yet.  After learning more about emerging technologies like AR, I wonder if this technology will enable the gospel to be heard by everyone who hasn’t had the opportunity in other mediums.