Report on nature-based education in the 21st century using AR

A collaborative research project of the Oxford X-Reality Hub in conjunction with Natural England has resulted in a report on nature-based education in the 21st century. It explores how Augmented Reality technology can be used to support access, engagement, education, and recreation in the natural environment. This comes at a moment when young people spend less time in nature and more time using technology. The report reviews the development of nature-based education, the use cases of augmented reality and how the technology could be used as a support tool to enhance nature education, engagement, recreation, and access.

Nature-based learning has a long history and aims to connect young people with nature, providing them with knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and positive impacts on self-concept, discipline, social skills, mental health, and academic performance, among others. The importance of technology in education is also emphasised, particularly through AR, a sub-division of extended reality (XR). AR’s potential is seen as an accessible tool providing an immersive learning environment, enabling interactions with digital and physical environments simultaneously. AR supports multiple pedagogical theories, enhancing students’ motivation, active learning, memory recall, and social interaction. However, limitations include applicability across all subjects, integration issues, technology affordability, and an increased cognitive load on learners.

The report offers guiding questions for teachers contemplating the integration of nature- and AR-based education. It highlights the importance of AR in amplifying nature-based experiences, offering new ways of interaction, and presenting nature at varied scales or over different time periods. The objective is not to replace but to augment traditional learning with these innovative pedagogical approaches, enhancing students’ readiness for a rapidly evolving future. This analysis will help inform future initiatives to support equity of access to greenspace and contribute to understanding the ways in which to engage young people with the natural environment.

The full report can be downloaded here: https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/4877124415258624