Work

“Wow! This Is So Cool”: Learning Spanish with Augmented Reality

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Augmented Reality (AR) enables users to see or interact with virtual objects in real-world environments. This case study examines three AR lessons integrated into a beginner-level Spanish course at a university. The participants were 18 undergraduate students enrolled in this class. The AR lessons portrayed a classroom, a coffee shop, and a family setting aimed at improving students’ retention of Spanish vocabulary related to each AR environment. The research data included pre-test and post-test scores, in-class observations, and interviews. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted before and after the AR sessions to examine vocabulary retention. The quantitative findings revealed significant differences in test scores among all three interventions, suggesting the efficacy of AR-based learning methods. A thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative data, encompassing interviews with six students and in-class observations. Students shared that the AR-based lessons made learning more engaging and enhanced vocabulary recall. Student interactions increased, and the AR-based lessons inspired students to transition from technology users to designers. This study addresses the need for more AR learner-centered empirical studies in learning Spanish and provides implications for AR educational application design and implementations.

Source: Education Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/educsci15030379

Authors: Wanju Huang, Shamila Janakiraman, Anthony Ilobinso, Nedim Slijepcevic

Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Eastern Kentucky University

Language: English

Topic: Augmented Reality Applications

Subfield: Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172