OLJ task 11 Module 4
Augmented reality (AR), the act of superimpoising digital visuals over the top of the real is a fun and engaging premise, with the possibilities for enhanced engagement with literacy and stem applications, however it still seems to dwell in the space of novelty and fad (Frost et al, 2020). The use of AR applications is taking time to find its place within the informaiton organisations, however there has been approaches in preservation, and geolocation services, which look set to engage users (Frost et al, 2020).
Augmented Reality, Preservation and Engagement
Preservation of culutural texts, and resources presents a significant challenge to engaging future generations. For example, in the State Library of New South Wales (2021) the Gather project provides a wealth of digitally recovered historical documents and photographs which are accesible online, and are presented as digital files of the old records. The collection is incredible, however what if this historical knowledge could be taken further and made engaging for all ages. Brett Leavy has achieved this with Virtual Songlines an immersive AR experience of indigenous sites in Australia (Virtual Songlines, 2021). This project displays the opportunity for libraries and informain agencies to collaborate with cultural projects by providing the historical records libraries maintain. Similar to how the SLNSW Gather project collected their resources, libraries could scaffold digital historical assets which could be used by organisations like Virtual Songlines to provide engaging and culturally relevant programs and experiences (Hannah et al, 2019).
(Source Songlines, 2021)
Where can I find that book????
Photo credit: iXRlabs, 2020
We’ve all been lost searching for a book in the library stacks at one time or another, but what if we had virtual help, what if our mobile device became the librarian walking us to our lost book. Augmented reality applications are stepping in to deliver a convenient service, in collection locations, detailed information of the resources and reader recommendations (iXRlabs, 2020). AR has even been used in the past to craft experiences which are both enriching and an adventure for young and old with the State Library of Queensland conducting augmented scavenger hunts to encourage youth into library spaces (Fitz et al, 2012).
Image credit: Pokemon Go, 2021
Is AR a fad or just misunderstood?
Cultural preservation and library geolocation services are two excellent examples of the usefulness of AR, however the perceived benefits of augmented reality and extended reality (XR) applications are mixed amongst users (Frost et al, 2020). A 2020 survey at Bingham Young University displayed the perception of these technologies as something fun, stress relief and an extra currciular activity, rather than a core component of their studies (Frost et al, 2020).
Why then, are these technologies categorised into fun extra currcicular stress relief? One line of thinking is that these technologies are influenced by their popular uses, such as games like PokemonGo or Instagram selfie filters (Livetribe, 2020). Unfortunately if the application of AR was limited to these experiences, then it could be considered a fad, but the above advantages display a significant engagement tool for future learning.
References
Fitz-Walter, Z., Tjondronegoro, D., Koh, D., & Zrobok, M. (2012). Mystery at the library: encouraging library exploration using a pervasive mobile game. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 24th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference, Melbourne, Australia. https://doi.org/10.1145/2414536.2414561
Frost, M., Goates, M., Cheng, S. & Johnston, J. (2020). Virtual Reality: A survey of use at an academic library. Information technology and libraries. https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v39:1.11369
iXRlabs (2020, September 10). 5 ways augmented reality can be used in next-gen libraries. iXRlabs. https://www.ixrlabs.com/blog/augmented-reality-can-be-used-in-libraries/
Livetribe (2020). Augmented reality: passing fad or powerful disruption?. Livetribe. https://www.livetribe.com/blog/augmented-reality-trendy-disruptive/
Pokemon Go (2021, April 22). Team GO rocket is back. https://pokemongolive.com/post/rocket-return/?hl=en
Ruiz, G. R., Hermandez, M. H. & Pena, S. O. (2019). Geolocation in a Library using augmented reality. TEM journal 8(3). 854-859. https://dx.doi.org/10.18421/TEM83-23
State Library of New South wales. (2021). About. Gather. https://gather.sl.nsw.gov.au/about
Virtual Songlines (2021). About us. Virtual Songlines. https://www.virtualsonglines.org/about