A Framework for Utilizing Context-aware Augmented Reality Visualization in Engineering Education

A growing number of construction engineering students complain about the lack of engagement and interaction with the learning environment. A major factor contributing to this issue is that instructors in most construction and civil engineering programs still rely on traditional teaching methods including the use of chalkboard, printed handouts, and computer presentations that are often verbose but contain little visual information. This is despite the fact that according to a number of recent research studies these teaching techniques are considered outdated by a large group of new generation students who are visual learners or team workers. At the same time, the influence of interactive social media in every aspect of daily life has changed student perceptions and how they expect the instructional materials to be presented in a classroom setting. This paper presents an innovative learning tool that uses remote videotaping, augmented reality (AR), and ultra-wide band (UWB) localization to bring live videos of a real construction jobsite to the classroom, create an interactive interface for students to watch the streaming video and select objects in the scenes, and visually deliver location-aware instructional materials to students in real time. The objective of this research is to explore the extent to which these technologies can be used to provide students with a learning environment that enables them to develop an in-depth understanding of and gain hands-on experience with construction equipment and operational issues, while experiencing teamwork and critical thinking in a collaborative setting.