Augmented Reality as a Tool in the Teaching-Learning Process of Natural Sciences in a Primary Institution

Abstract

Recent challenges for strategic educational planning in Ecuador request implement Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in different levels of educational institutions. However, there´s a notable lack of successful implementations of ICTs on national educational institutions, which causes several problems in student's learning cycle such as loss of attention, motivation and innovation. These problems are further aggravated at the level of primary education institutions. Nevertheless, this paper demonstrates the feasibility of implementing digital tools with augmented reality (AR) for teaching and learning of Natural Sciences (NC) in the Cesar Mosquera Primary School located at the northern zone of Ecuador. To this end, we began by identifying digital strategies that facilitate the teaching of NC as an element of feedback and development of spatial imagination. Next, a diagnosis was made of the weaknesses of both teachers and students in the teaching of NC at primary school level. A mixed research method was applied, using quantitative techniques such as survey analysis and using qualitative techniques such as direct observations, to make a content analysis applied to teacher planning. Then, cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality deployed on easily accessible devices such as Smartphones or Tablets were implemented using Curiscope-Virtuali-Tee software and web 3.0 virtual classroom tools that were applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once implemented, the proposed AR system was compared with classic teaching methods. Finally, the feasibility of applying AR in the mentioned institution was demonstrated due to all students approved the final test of acquired knowledge in each class taken.