Enhancing Students’ Comprehension in Building Structures: An Experimental Exploration of Augmented Reality Applications

In the modern era, technological devices have become an indispensable aspect of students’ lives. However, effectively engaging these students, who are well-versed in technology, and catering present preferred learning styles, presents a significant challenge. The discrepancies in teaching and learning methods have resulted in issues such as student disengagement, decreased learning aptitude, and limited knowledge retention. Augmented Reality (AR), a visualization technology, provides promising opportunities to involve these students in a dynamic, collaborative, and socially interactive learning environment. By employing 3D AR models for various structural exercises, both building science and architecture students can experience an immersive and meaningful learning journey, thereby greatly stimulating their interest in the subject matter. The objective of this study is to empirically measure the improvements in students’ comprehension of building structures through the utilization of AR applications. The research methodology employs a mixed-methods approach for comprehensive data collection. The outcomes of the study demonstrate a significant enhancement in students’ learning outcomes and knowledge retention when integrating AR technology into the learning process. It is expected that the findings of this study will provide valuable insights for educators seeking to effectively implement advanced visualization technologies in their courses, ultimately enhancing students’ learning experiences and facilitating better knowledge retention in the subject matter.