Discussion of Interview Findings
  1. Familiarity with AR Technology: The interviewees exhibited a range of familiarity with AR technology before the experiment, with 35% having limited exposure, 25% being moderately familiar, and 20% having no prior experience. A smaller proportion (20%) was quite familiar with AR due to prior educational app usage.
  2. Initial Expectations and Perceptions: Interviewees had a mix of expectations regarding AR technology. While 45% had positive expectations, 25% were cautiously optimistic, 20% were uncertain, and only 10% had no specific expectations. The experiment often exceeded expectations, especially for those with reservations.
  3. Engagement with AR Technology: A significant majority (70%) found AR technology to be highly or moderately engaging. Engaging examples included historical recreations, biology dissections, and interactive math lessons. However, there were a few (10%) who did not find it engaging, mainly in literature classes.
  4. Influence on Engagement and Participation: AR technology positively influenced engagement and participation for the interviewees. It encouraged active class discussions (35%), sparked curiosity (25%), fostered collaboration (20%), and personalized learning (20%), leading to increased participation and involvement.
  5. Impact on Interest and Motivation: The use of AR technology notably increased interest and motivation for a majority (60%) of the interviewees. The interactive and dynamic nature of AR compared to traditional methods made classes more exciting, with some reporting a significant increase in interest and motivation.
  6. Improvement in Understanding: Interviewees widely acknowledged that AR technology improved their understanding of subject matter. It clarified complex topics with visual representations. For example, in physics and history, it helped them grasp abstract theories and make history more captivating.
Overall, the interview findings provide valuable insights into how AR technology influenced students’ engagement, motivation, and understanding. While the majority had positive experiences, the responses also highlight areas where improvements can be made to cater to diverse expectations and preferences. AR technology shows great promise in enhancing the classroom experience and making learning more interactive and enjoyable.