This systematic review examines the use of augmented reality technology in environmental education by analyzing 20 studies published primarily after 2017. The research addresses the growing interest in AR applications for environmental education across all educational levels, with particular attention to learning outcomes, student engagement, and environmental literacy development.
The researchers argue that while AR technology shows significant promise for environmental education, there has been limited systematic analysis of its effectiveness and implementation challenges. Most existing research has focused on isolated case studies rather than comprehensive analysis of patterns and outcomes across different educational contexts and age groups.
The review identified three major themes in AR environmental education applications. First, AR significantly enhances student learning and environmental literacy by improving environmental knowledge, concept understanding, and spatial visualization skills. Students demonstrated better comprehension of complex topics like climate change and ecosystem relationships, with AR-based instruction consistently showing superior results compared to traditional teaching methods. The technology proved particularly effective at making abstract environmental concepts tangible and understandable.
Second, the research revealed that AR dramatically improves student engagement and motivation across all age groups. Students showed consistently higher interest levels, enhanced motivation, and more positive attitudes toward environmental topics when AR was incorporated into lessons. The technology also increased students' confidence in understanding environmental concepts, helping to overcome common student apathy toward environmental issues through immersive, interactive experiences.
Third, the studies demonstrated that AR facilitates interactive and collaborative learning by promoting active participation, peer collaboration, and discussion about environmental topics. The technology extended learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries to include family engagement and helped students develop autonomous learning skills. Primary school students (ages 6-11) appeared to benefit most from AR implementation, representing over 50% of successful studies.
The review found that most effective implementations involved 50-100 students, making AR suitable for typical classroom sizes, and that students consistently reported high satisfaction with AR-based environmental education, finding it both enjoyable and educationally valuable. However, only two studies reported implementation challenges, highlighting the need for practitioners to carefully consider content selection and pedagogical design.
The article concludes that AR offers significant opportunities for environmental education while acknowledging the need for careful implementation. For environmental educators, this means considering AR as a powerful tool to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes, particularly for primary school students, while being prepared to address challenges related to appropriate content selection and meaningful pedagogical integration. Educators should start with simple AR applications, provide adequate technical support, and ensure that AR activities align with established environmental education standards rather than replacing fundamental learning experiences.
The Bottom Line
This systematic review of 20 studies reveals that augmented reality (AR) technology offers significant opportunities for environmental education across all educational levels. AR applications consistently demonstrate positive impacts on student learning, motivation, and environmental awareness, with most research published after 2017 indicating growing interest in this field. While AR shows particular promise for making abstract environmental concepts concrete and engaging students in interactive learning experiences, practitioners should be prepared to address challenges related to appropriate content selection and pedagogical design to maximize effectiveness.