Content Delivery Using Augmented Reality to Enhance Students’ Performance in a Building Design and Assembly Project

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Terk

Recent studies indicate that fewer students pursue STEM degrees, with low motivation and weak engagement cited as key causes. The research implements and evaluates an augmented reality (AR)–based pedagogical tool aimed at improving engagement and learning quality. A building design and assembly experiment was conducted in an undergraduate construction and civil engineering course using control and test treatments. Performance, workload, and video-based observations were analyzed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

| | Ad | vances in Engineering Edu | cation | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | WINTER 2015 Content Delivery Using Augmented Reality to Enhance Students’ Performance in a Building Design and Assembly Project AREZOO SHIRAZI AND AMIR H. BEHZADAN University of Central Florida Orlando, FL ABSTRACT Recent studies suggest that the number of students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees has been generally decreasing. An extensive body of research cites the lack of motivation and engagement in the learning process as a major underlying reason of this decline. It has been discussed that if properly implemented, instructional technology can enhance student engagement and the quality of learning. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to implement and assess the effectiveness of an augmented reality (AR)-based pedagogical tool on student learning. For this purpose, a model building design and assembly experiment with two separate (control and test) treatments were conducted in an undergraduate construction and civil engineering course. In each treatment, performance (with respect to three primary and three secondary measures) and workload data (with respect to six NASA TLX indicators) were collected and assessed. Both treatments were also videotaped for post-analysis and further observations of students’ performance. It was found that students in the test group (who used the AR tool) performed better than students in the control group with respect to certain (but not all) measures. In addition, test group students spent more time on collaboration, communication, and exchanging ideas. Overall, students ranked the effectiveness of the AR tool very high and stated that it has a good potential to transform traditional teaching methods. Key Words: Augmented reality; construction and civil engineering; building design. INTRODUCTION According to the National Academies Press (NAP), during the past two decades, the number of students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) WINTER 2015 1 ADVANCES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION Content Delivery Using Augmented Reality to Enhance Students’Performance in a Building Design and Assembly Project disciplines decreased by 18% in the United States (Augustine, 2007) . Moreover, only 23% of college freshman students declare a STEM major and only 40% of those that choose STEM, receive a STEM degree by the end of their studies (Duncan, 2009) . Recently, the United States ranked 17th amongst the developed countries in the proportion of college students receiving bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering (Augustine, 2007) . These and several other statistics have motivated researchers to look for the underlying reasons for this decline. Some researchers discussed that the relatively high upfront monetary investment necessary to earn an engineering degree may be a setback to many students (Shin and Milton, 2008) . However, this may not be necessarily true since figures show that the salary of a typical engineer is much higher than many other majors (Gardner, 1992) . Some educators have argued that the decision to pursue a STEM major is based on two key factors: (1) personal capabilities and preparedness to succeed, and (2) desire to pursue that discipline. They believe that success in attracting more students into the STEM fields depends on how well the universities and institutions address both of these components (Cutler, 2012) . Other researchers indicated that the problem is not attracting students into the STEM fields; rather it is retaining them there throughout their studies and engaging them in the learning process (Sonmatel, 2013; Lin, 2013; Kane, Pando, and Janardhnam, 2013) . According to the U. S. Department of Education statistics, the United States is graduating more visual-arts and performing-arts majors than engineers. The same study s

FAQs

What problem does the research address about STEM education?

It addresses the decline in students pursuing STEM degrees, attributing it mainly to insufficient motivation and engagement in learning.

How was the augmented reality (AR) tool evaluated?

The study used a model building design and assembly experiment with separate control and test treatments in an undergraduate construction and civil engineering course.

What were the main findings for students using the AR tool?

Students in the test group performed better on certain measures, spent more time on collaboration and communication, rated the tool highly, and indicated it could transform traditional teaching methods.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Terk