Exploring the efficacy of leveraging augmented reality (AR) technology as an effective means to bridge learning gaps and enhance special education.

1) Problem Identification & Significance

For students with special needs, augmented reality (AR) can be a first step toward a more inclusive educational experience. Approximately 15 percent of people worldwide have a disability or special educational needs, according to the World Health Organization. Of those 15 percent, 2 to 4 percent have severe functional challenges.

Nonetheless, compared to earlier WHO estimates from the 1970s, the prevalence of disabilities worldwide is believed to be higher. Rather, data from the previous year indicates that a figure of about 10 percent is more accurate, with 190 million people (3.8 percent) who are 15 years of age or older and experiencing severe functional difficulties.

In light of these facts, it appears paradoxical that students with special needs?that is, those with conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Down syndrome, and hearing impairments?often feel more behind their classmates in the classroom.

There is still much that can be done to make the classroom more inclusive for each and every student, but thankfully education is moving in the right direction toward being more inclusive of people with diverse learning needs and styles. The need for us to reconsider not only what we teach but also how we teach it is becoming more and more clear.

Augmented reality is gaining popularity because of its potential to enhance special education. By adding virtual elements to the real-world environment, it can produce interactive experiences.Children with a variety of disabilities can access lessons when they are applied to special needs learning. As a result, educators can fulfill the needs of every student in the classroom.

2) Research Findings

The use of augmented reality (AR) in education is one medium that, in the near future, may offer learning support for students with special needs. This technology has the power to remove obstacles from learning environments. According to a study published in The European Journal of Special Needs Research last year states that;

"The results showed that the AR applications had a large effect across the 16 single-subject studies. The effect of AR was the largest in promoting an individual's learning skills, followed by social skills, physical skills, and living skills. This study offers an important insight into the relative success of AR in promoting academic and functional living skills to individuals with special needs. It also offers research-based guidance to decision-makers for supporting adolescents with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities."(The European Journal of Special Needs Research, 2023)

AR is beneficial because it allows for the real-time overlay of virtual images over real-world images. It gives students an enjoyable and engaging way to see, hear, and touch the material. Teachers may also be able to design customized lesson plans by analyzing the data of AR users. This will enable them to adapt lessons to the individual needs of each student and, as a result, find the most effective ways to inspire their students.

AR is useful because it allows for the real-time overlay of virtual images over real-world images. It gives students an enjoyable and engaging way to see, hear, and touch the material. Teachers may also be able to design customized lesson plans by analyzing the data of AR users. This will enable them to adapt lessons to the individual needs of each student and, as a result, find the most effective ways to inspire their students.

For instance, allowing students to interact with 3D shapes and pictures depicting geographical locations may help those who struggle with coordination. This also has the added benefit of introducing kids to a variety of cultures, environments, and landscapes.

Additionally, research indicates that when students with cochlear implants, hearing impairments, or speech impairments use AR-capable headsets or smartphone technology, their learning gap closes in terms of conversing, communicating, and understanding.Through the use of augmented reality, language apps can be used to help students become more fluent in multiple languages and improve their pronunciation of words.

Given that children with special needs have a wide range of skills, interests, and limitations, customization is crucial in special education. By utilizing augmented reality, teachers can better meet the unique needs and learning preferences of students with special needs.

AR also democratizes learning for those with special needs. Some families cannot afford certain apps that provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Others, however, are too intricate.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website included a second study that went into detail about how this kind of technology affects educational inclusion. The authors presented a number of encouraging findings regarding the use of this kind of technology in the education of SEN students. Among these conclusions were the following:

? The greatest effect is improving communication skills in students with disabilities, especially oriented to those with hearing problems.

? Among the advantages reported were motivation, interaction, and catching the interest of the student with a disability-all criteria that help inclusive education.

? In general, all studies ended with a minimum of positive effects on students with different needs, and, depending on the case, it improved their experience in the educational system taking advantage of the benefits of the AR.

Overall, it is apparent that this is one of the best tools that a 21st-century teacher can use to engage students of all learning abilities and learning styles in their lessons. Although it has only been around for less than two decades, it is rapidly evolving and constantly improving in all areas.

It is critical for parents, educators, and students to empower students, particularly those with special needs, to achieve their full potential, regardless of academic ability. Early intervention and exposure to AR is critical for their successful integration into society.

QUESTION

Based on what you have developed on previous written assignment about Problem Definitions and User Research, continue your work and develop the Idea and Concept,

1. Idea Generation: o Apply various ideation techniques (e.g., brainstorming, SCAMPER, mind mapping) to generate a wide range of creative ideas to solve the identified problem.o Explain which techniques you used to find 2 or 3 solutions for the problemeed to satisfy.2. Concept Development:o Select promising ideas generated during the ideation phase.o Develop detailed concepts for the selected ideas, outlining key features, functionalities, and user benefits.o Create sketches, wireframes, or prototypes to visually represent the concepts.

3Validationand Refinement:

? o Think about how would validate your ideas? (by explaining how would you define a prototype and improve it)

22:25 1 AR.1.docx V Exploring the efficacy of leveraging augmented reality (AR) technology as an effective means to bridge learning gaps and enhance special education. 1) Problem Identification & Significance For students with special needs, augmented reality (AR) can be a first step toward a more inclusive educational experience. Approximately 15 percent of people worldwide have a disability or special educational needs, according to the World Health Organization. Of those 15 percent, 2 to 4 percent have severe functional challenges. Nonetheless, compared to earlier WHO estimates from the 1970s, the prevalence of disabilities worldwide is believed to be higher. Rather, data from the previous year indicates that a figure of about 10 percent is more accurate, with 190 million people (3.8 percent) who are 15 years of age or older and experiencing severe functional difficulties. In light of these facts, it appears paradoxical that students with special needs-that is, those with conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Down syndrome, and hearing impairments- often feel more behind their classmates in the classroom. There is still much that can be done to make the classroom more inclusive for each and every student, but thankfully education is moving in the right direction toward being more inclusive of people with diverse learning needs and styles. The need for us to reconsider not only what we teach but also how we teach it is becoming more and more clear. Augmented reality is gaining popularity because of its potential to enhance special education. By adding virtual elements to the real-world environment, it can produce interactive experiences. Children with a variety of disabilities can access lessons when they are applied to special needs learning. As a result, educators can fulfill the needs of every student in the classroom. 2) Research Findings The use of augmented reality (AR) in education is one medium that, in the near future, may offer learning support for students with special needs. This technology has the power to remove obstacles from learning environments. According to a study published in The European Journal of Special Needs Research last year states that; "The results showed that the AR applications had a large effect across the 16 single-subject studies. The effect of AR was the largest in promoting an individual's learning skills, followed by social skills, physical skills, and living skills. This study offers an important insight into the relative success of AR in promoting academic and functional living skills to individuals with special needs. It also offers research-based guidance to decision-makers for supporting adolescents with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities."(The European Journal of Special Needs Research, 2023) AR is beneficial because it allows for the real-time overlay of virtual images over real-world images. It gives students an enjoyable and engaging way to see, hear, and touch the material. Teachers may also be able to desinn customized lesson plans byvirtwal images over real-world images. It gives students an enjoyable and engaging way to see, hear, and touch the material. Teachers may also be able to design customized lesson plans by analyzing the data of AR users. This will enable them to adapt lessons to the individual needs of cach student and, as a result, find the most effective ways to inspire their students, AR is useful because it allows for the real-time overlay of virtual images over real-world images. It gives students an enjoyable and engaging way to see, hear, and touch the material. Teachers may also be able to design customized lesson plans by analyzing the data of AR users. This will enable them to adapt lessons to the individual needs of each student and, as a result, find the most effective ways to inspire their students. For instance, allowing students to interact with 3D shapes and pictures depicting geographical locations may help those who struggle with coordination. This also has the added benefit of introducing kids to a variety of cultures, environments, and landscapes. Additionally, research indicates that when students with cochlear implants, hearing impairments, or speech impairments use AR- capable headsets or smartphone technology, their learning gap closes in terms of conversing, communicating, and understanding. Through the use of augmented reality, language apps can be used to help students become more fluent in multiple languages and improve their pronunciation of words. Given that children with special needs have a wide range of skills, interests, and limitations, customization i1s crucial in special education. By utilizing augmented reality, teachers can better meet the unique needs and learning preferences of students with special needs. AR also democratizes learning for those with special needs. Some families cannot afford certain apps that provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Others, however, are too intricate. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCEI) website included a second study that went into detail about how this kind of technology affects educational nclusion. The authors presented a number of encouraging findings regarding the use of this kind of technology in the education of SEN students. Among these conclusions were the following: * The greatest effect is improving communication skills in students with disabilities, especially oriented to those with hearing problems. = Among the advantages reported were motivation, interaction, and catching the interest of the student with a disability-all criteria that help inclusive education. In general, all studies ended with a mimimum of positive effects on students with different needs, and, depending on the case, 1t improved their experience in the educational system taking advantage of the benefits of the AR. Overall, it is apparent that this is one of the best tools that a 21st-century teacher can use to engage students of all learning abilities and learning styles in their lessons, Although it has only been around for less than two decades, it is rapidly evolving and constantly improving in all areas. It is eritical for . T nts 10 empower been around for less than two decades, it is rapidly evolving and constantly improving in all arcas. It is entical for parents, educators, and students to empower students, particularly those with special needs, to achieve their full potential, regardless of academic ability. Early imervention and exposure to AR is critical for their successful integration into society. QUESTION Based on what you have developed on previous written assignment about Problem Definitions and User Research, continue your work and develop the Idea and Concept, 1. Idea Generation: . Apply various ideation techniques (e.g., brainstorming, SCAMPER, mind mapping) to generate a wide range of creative ideas to solve the identified problem. = Explain which techniques you used to find 2 or 3 solutions for the problemeed to satisfy. 2. Concept Development: Select promising ideas generated during the ideation phase. Develop detailed concepts for the selected ideas, outlining key features, functionalities, and user benefits. . Create sketches, wireframes, or prototypes to visually represent the concepts. 3Validation and Refinement: o Think about how would validate your ideas? (by explaining how would you define a prototype and improve it)