We saw the world transform in 2020 and one of these transformations was in the field of education where virtual learning became normalised. But EdTEch, or education technology, has been evolving and revolutionizing the way we learn for many years now and Augmented Reality Apps are playing a key role in this revolution.
Augmented Reality App first became a sensation in 2016 with the AR App game PokemonGo. Since then AR Apps have come a long way and transformed the field of education by changing the way individuals interact with information. By modifying the nature of information into a visual, interactive and fun mode AR Apps have made learning more effortless and engaging than its traditional counterparts. It has proved beneficial for and popular among learners of all age groups and even professionals. So much so that the global smart education and learning market size is expected to reach USD 680.1 billion by 2027 with an anticipated growth rate of 17.9%.
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Augmented Reality Apps have revolutionised education and below we curate a list of the 15 Best Augmented Reality Apps that are helping revolutionise education.
1. Starshopper App
Star Shopper App is one of the best Augmented Reality Apps for education that combines the fun and engaging nature of comics and interactive storytelling to educate users on wise money handling. This game changing AR app is developed by Elegant media in partnership with the multinational giant Ernst & Young and the ASB Bank New Zealand (Commonwealth Bank) as part of ASB’s GetWise financial literacy schools programme for New Zealand students.
Features
The app uses interactive storytelling with the Star Shopper comic book. The AR feature takes you on a shopping trip to outer space where you can practice your money skills buying alien gadgets, books, chocolates and other fun stuff. While it is meant for kids, even adults can enjoy and reap the benefits of this new-age educational tool in learning how to handle money.
Audience
- Kids
Requirements
- Star Shopper – Apps on Google Play
- Star Shopper on the App Store
- The Starshopper Comic Book which can be downloaded here.
- Free
2. WonderScope: Augmented Reality App
WonderScope is one of the best Augmented Reality Apps for converting ordinary spaces into extraordinary stories.
Features
Wonderscope allows you to see stories take place all around you, whether you open the app in your room or outdoors. It has features which allow kids to read their lines aloud to engage with and talk to characters, and help them solve problems along the way. WonderScope has also gathered some stunning reviews like this one:
“What if you could give your child an iPad for an hour and not feel guilty about it?… an app that makes kids smile and feel confident as they read absolutely feels like a win.”
Vogue
Audience
- Kids
Requirements
- Wonderscope on App store
- Free
- In-App purchases
- Only devices with iOS 11 and newer are compatible with this app
3. XR Learn Hub
XR LearnHub is an AR/VR app which supports practical and online learning about CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinery and i4 technology. It was launched by RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Features
This AR App allows users the experience of real world CNC machinery and scenarios like a virtual Okuma multi-axial lathe machine. All you need to do is scan your environment using your device camera and then interact with a realistic model. Whether you do it is as a hobby or for a course, the app makes learning fun and easy.
Audience
- Students
Requirements
- XR LearnHub on the App Store
- Free to download and use.
4. 3DBear: Augmented Reality App
One of the finest apps for remote education 3DBear is an AR app that aids distance learning by providing tools for both teachers and students in the form of AR, VR, and 3D scanning.
Features
For teachers, the app provides engaging lesson plans From K-12 to higher ed in all subjects along with a browser-based teacher dashboard which makes it easy to monitor a remote classroom. The app makes students learn by creating content by encouraging design thinking and inquiry-based learning. 3DBear is the official partner of Google for Education and recommended by Google under “Resources for Distance Learning.
Audience
- Students
- Teachers
Requirements
- 3DBear on Google Play
- 3DBear on the App Store
- Free
- In-App Purchases
5. Arility App
ARILITY is the best Augmented Reality App which brings road safety training to life for children.
Features
The AR app exposes users to high-risk road scenarios and encourages them to navigate through risk ridden travel situations by finding the safest ways. The immersive experience of AR allows users both the experience of risk first hand as well as a safe environment to overcome the risk.
Audience
- Students
- Teachers (classroom friendly)
Requirements
6. CoSpaces edu: Augmented Reality App
CoSpaces Edu is a marvel of an AR App as it allows users to move beyond consuming AR to becoming creators of AR. Users develop coding skills and digital literacy which have become the most basic learning skills of our time.
Features
CoSpaces Edu allows users to code and build their own 3D creations and explore them in AR. The app includes features like gaming, storytelling, exhibiting and 360 degree tours.
Audience
- Adaptable to any age or subject
Requirements
- CoSpaces Edu on Google Play
- CoSpaces Edu on the App Store
- Get CoSpaces Edu on Microsoft
- Free to get started with basic features
- Pro: from USD 74.99 per year
7. lunar and planetARy
Lunar and planetARy is one of the best Augmented Reality App that lets you learn about planets in the most magical way.
Features
This free educational app transports students, teachers, scientists, and anyone who wants to journey through space on an interactive tour of the asteroid belt, the Moon, Mars, Saturn, Pluto, and Europa.. All you need to do to explore the augmented reality sky map is to point your camera at an interactive poster and immerse yourself in the virtual world of space through your mobile device touch screen.
Audience
- Anyone who wants to unravel the mysteries of the sky.
Requirements
- Lunar and Planetary on the App Store
- Lunar and Planetary on Play Store
- Free
- Offers In-App Purchases
8. VR Math: Augmented reality App
Math need not be abstract any longer as VR MATH makes students learn geometry by showing it. It is useful for both students and teachers.
Features
The app shows users 3D geometry, graphs and vectors through both AR and VR modes. It’s interactive mode makes learning better and retention easier. The app allows for both independent individual mode of learning as well as a virtual classroom setup. The teacher can highlight various parts of the AR models and the app will replicate it for the students too.
Audience
- Students
- Teachers
Requirements
- VR Math on PlayStore
- VR Math – Apps on Google Play
- Students get it free, whilst teachers need to have a subscription to use the app’s full potential.
9. Boulevard
Boulevard is the best Augmented Reality App in which arts-based experiences are shared through virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies. Developed by a seasoned group of curators, educators and engineers the Boulevard App delivers an immersive architecture and cultural experience.
Features
The Boulevard App allows you to place paintings and objects in your space, get close to them and discover aspects of their stories you never considered. Discover the narratives behind history’s greatest works of visual art and most iconic architecture to the compelling lowdown on innovative design movements and how some of the most ubiquitous everyday items came to be.
Audience
- All arts enthusiasts
Requirements
10. GeoGebra: Augmented Reality App
Augmented Reality GeoGebra is an innovative AR app that encourages learners to explore geometry in the world around them through the use of AR.
Features
The app allows users to place geometrical objects on any flat surface around them and to explore these objects from all possible angles. Guided activities enable users to learn about the principles of geometry through these AR objects. The app developers also invite ideas and suggestions for 3D models that users would like to see.
Audience
- Age Rating 4+
Requirements
11. Civilisations
Based on the BBC Two art history program of the same name, the BBC Taster – Civilisations AR app teaches users about historical artefacts from different civilisations.
Features
The collection which is curated by BBC has more than 30 artefacts with contributions from museums across the UK. The AR technology allows users to explore the collections from different angles and at different scales thus allowing them to become the explorer.
Audience
- Everyone
Requirements
12. AR Liver Viewer: Augmented Reality App
AR Liver Viewer is a medical education app which uses AR for extensively detailed and realistic anatomical models.
Features
The AR app allows users to zoom into the models from any angle, learn from extensively labelled and colour-coded sections, create custom pins and also draw on the images. There is also an option of a semi-transparent view which shows internal structures like major vessels and the biliary tree as well as the three common pathologies of the liver.
Audience
- secondary students
- undergraduate and graduate students
- medical professionals
Requirements
- AR Liver Viewer on the App Store
- a graphic known as a glyph for the AR experience
- Free
13. Touch Surgery
An award winning application in the field of medicine, Touch Surgery is an AR app that uses AR to simulate surgeries. It not only allows visual learning but students also get to apply theory in practice.
Features
The AR app makes different surgical processes both easy and engaging, giving students a more hands-on learning experience of every stage of surgery. The app offers the largest database of simulations across surgical specialities and with 2.5 million users globally Touch Surgery is the most downloaded surgical training app.
Audience
- Healthcare students and professionals
Requirements
- Touch Surgery on Google Play
- Touch Surgery on the App Store
- Free
- In-App Purchases
14. StarWalk: Augmented Reality App
Star Walk is one of the best AR apps for students of astronomy as well as enthusiasts as it provides an immersive experience of celestial space.
Features
With the AR technology users only need to point their phone towards the sky to discover stars, planets, constellations and celestial phenomena near them. The interactive experience comes not only with detailed information about each of the heavenly bodies but also their internal structure and 3D models. The app updates users about the latest astronomy events and news.
Audience
- Astronomy Students and enthusiasts
Requirements
- Star Walk 2 – Night Sky View and Stargazing Guide – Apps on Google Play
- Star Walk 2: The Night Sky Map on the App Store
- Free
- In-App Purchases
15. PopAR World Map
PopAR World Map is an AR app that uses the world map to allow users to explore different locations in the world from the past to the present time in 3D reality.
Features
This app has an extensive database of information about the culture, fauna and famous landmarks, both manmade and natural, of these places which users get to explore in 3D. It even has interactive gameplay to keep kids engaged. With detailed and intriguing read-alongs coupled with immersive video footage the app also has interactive icons which allow users to explore a place as deeply as they want to. The app aids in kinesthetic, auditory and visual learning and stimulates overall cognitive development.
Audience
- Kids
Requirements
Conclusion
Our list is sufficient to prove that whether you’re a student, a teacher, a parent or simply a seeker of knowledge AR apps are growing to become the most revolutionising medium of education. With a diversity of apps catering to a range of needs of preschoolers to professionals, if you haven’t been exposed to this new way of learning yet, let 2021 be the year you revolutionise your learning style.
At Elegant Media, we have an award-winning team of App designers who have designed AR education Apps like Star-Shopper. If you have an AR App idea or if you want to enhance the learning experience with the introduction of AR, then connect with us for a FREE consultation.
