Transforming Education with Augmented and Virtual Reality: Applications, Challenges and Future Perspectives

This study examines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies in education. It evaluates the applications of these technologies in different fields, their advantages, challenges, and aspects that need to be developed. The findings reveal that AR and VR are used intensively in general education, language education, health education, and STEM fields. Still, their use is limited in fields such as history and geography. While AR is effective in STEM education in areas such as visualizing abstract concepts and creating interactive learning environments, VR is more effective in health and art education, which require in-depth interaction and simulation. The study emphasizes the advantages of AR and VR, such as increasing student motivation, providing experiential learning opportunities, and providing content appropriate to individual learning paces. However, difficulties such as lack of technological infrastructure, high costs, and teachers not receiving sufficient training in these technologies stand out as the main factors preventing the widespread adoption of these technologies. In this context, projects and studies that reveal the potential benefits of AR and VR in fields with low usage rates, such as history and geography, should be encouraged. As a result, the role of AR and VR in education is increasing daily, and these technologies stand out as tools that transform education. Developing lower-cost devices, training teachers in technology integration, and integrating new technologies such as Metaverse can enable these technologies to be used by wider audiences. Future research and projects should ensure that AR and VR are used more effectively and make educational environments more interactive, inclusive, and accessible.