Augmented Reality in Sports and Physical Education

Abstract

AbstractPhysical education (PE) courses involve the provision of sports knowledge and the engagement in motor skill practices. Instruction based on augmented reality (AR) has been rarely applied in the hands-on teaching of these courses. Currently, PE teaching is mostly aided by video-assisted instructions. However, such instruction does not provide interactive experience in practices and fails to integrate textbook-based static learning with dynamic learning based on motor skill demonstrations. Because AR can overlay virtual information on a real object, this technology enables learners to, for example, manipulate an interactive three-dimensional human character model overlayed on a textbook while reading the textbook. Thus, AR can overcome the disadvantage of video-assisted instruction. To investigate the effects of AR-assisted instruction on learning outcomes, motor skills of various difficulty levels, and learning motivation in students, two experiments were conducted using different teaching materials; specifically, instructions on basic running drills and Mach drills were offered to students. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. The results indicated that AR-based teaching materials outperformed video-based ones, particularly in the learning outcomes of difficult motor skills.KeywordsAugmented realityEducational technologyPhysical educationLearning motivationMotor skill learning