“The Benefits and Challenges of Using Augmented Reality and Virtual

Reality in an Online Learning Set-up on Architecture Students amidst

the COVID-19 Pandemic”

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in schools shutting down and dramatically

changing the set-up for instructors and students. With the sudden shift of being away from

classrooms and moving towards an online platform, challenges in learning have emerged and are

greatly affecting the students. Courses, such as Architecture, have subjects that can be

understood better when a physical environment is involved, whether it is in terms of observation

or interaction between students and instructors. The online learning set-up eliminated this

experience and increases the tendency of the student of not retaining the information provided.

This study presented the idea of using Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology as a

means of eliminating the barrier present in an online learning set-up. Virtual Reality imposes an

immersive experience that shuts out the physical world and completely into the digital world,

while Augmented Reality brings digital elements to our surroundings in live view. Both

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology have been recognized and implemented in

construction, engineering, and architecture fields due to its ability of providing an engaging and

immersive environment. These technologies aid in visualization, construction health and safety

training, equipment and operational task training, as well as structural analysis. Previous research

showed that using Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology have tremendous potential

to increase students’ participation, interaction, and motivation. However, the review of the

previous research rarely discussed the context of an online education. An online learning set-up

poses a big challenge for instructors to help students focus and learn through the Internet, which

typically involves distractions such as social media and online gaming, et cetera. This study used
a qualitative approach to collect the data on the benefits and challenges that result in using

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology by conducting a survey. The survey was

conducted to students studying Architecture and experiencing an online set-up during the

COVID-19 pandemic. The data collected are supported by journal articles published between

2013-2021 relating to the impact of using Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology in

education, and the online learning set-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was coded

and divided into themes using thematic analysis. Each theme was examined in order to gain an

in-depth understanding of the participants’ views and opinions on Augmented Reality and

Virtual Reality technology as an aid to their typical online education. Augmented Reality- and

Virtual Reality-enhanced learning can help the students engage with the learning process in an

online context. The students’ skills in spatial cognition and concentration can be trained with the

use of the 3D virtual objects present in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology which

attract and maintain the user’s attention and interest. Using these technologies can not only

improve the performance and engagement of students with the lessons by aiding in a visual

aspect, but also offer an experience that is crucial but lost in the typical online learning set-up.

This study adds insight to the existing review on the benefits of using Augmented Reality and

Virtual Reality technology in the context of online education. The findings are useful to

educators and students to integrate Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies in their

education in an online context.

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