You Say Cheating, I Say New Reality

After watching the various clips about Augmented Reality and how it is being developed for practical use in the classroom and elsewhere, my first response is to say that augmented reality is not cheating like some might think, but a vision into what will soon be reality.  In this blog post I will argue for augmented reality in the classroom by providing counterarguments to potential positions against it.

1. How can you truly test a student's knowledge if they are using augmented reality technology?
Will we still want to test/assess student knowledge in the same way if augmented reality becomes the new reality in our world?  If this type of technology becomes prevalent enough in everyday life to be considered for use in the classroom, why will students need to be tested for retention?  Would it not be a disadvantage for students' later lives if they were hindered from using modern technology in the classroom that they may one day be expected to use in their jobs?  "Assessing what you know" should look different as our world changes and "what is necessary for success" also changes.  I'm not saying that assessing student performance will become obsolete, but it should reflect reality and augmented reality may very well become the new reality.

2. How can teacher's monitor what students are learning if with augmented reality students have freedom to explore many different avenues?
Bringing augmented reality into the classroom will change the role of the teacher.  Instead of being a vast source of knowledge, teachers will need to become guides and facilitators for tapping into the vast source of knowledge provided by the technology.  Teachers will need to be trained for using these devices well and for monitoring student progress during their use.  The adaptability of augmented reality shown in the videos just expands on what good teachers already know to be true: everyone learns best in a different way and the more ways available to learn something, the better.

3. What if giving students free reign with this powerful technology leads to them becoming off task and distracted in the classroom?
Do you think students will be more willing to pay attention to your teaching if you bore them or if you engage their senses?  If augmented reality becomes a norm in everyday life, but is not permitted for students to use in schools, then schools will become guilty of (they already are by not allowing students to use their laptops, smart phones, etc!) providing students limited reality.  For the upcoming generation of students, the omnipresence of technology is just a way of life.  Wouldn't students be more likely to be engaged and less distracted, if at school they had the chance to use technology beyond what they normally experience, rather than being limited to less than in what they consider reality?  Schools will only stay relevant if they progress with technology, rather than fight against it.