Pedagogical Challenges In A Bilingual School: Essay On AR Technology Solution.

Pedagogical Challenge

I am employed as a teacher at a Billingual School in China. We follow  Cambridge English, Cambridge Science, and Global English as our preferred curricula. The children use modern technology such as Quizlet and AI technology like Read theory and Get Epic. My School also use MS Teams and MS forms to do summative and formative assessments. They have also acknowledged MS OneNote in Teams for precise, prompt writing. The students of the institution also use  MacBooks in the classroom. The problem that the parents is concerned about because they demand more traditional ways of teaching because they think that the students are spending much time on technological gadgets. After acknowledging the problem, the institution has started providing conventional method of teaching with paper-based teaching for upgrading the vocabulary and assessment improvement of the students. Now the institution has to take awareness program for making the parents aware about the fact of Augmented reality technology is very much beneficial for the student. They will be getting more of the practical approach of learning through this technological upgradation.

This essay will look into the pedagogical challenges in the mentioned bilingual school and also provide solution that will eliminate the challenges that are faced by the school as well as the parents towards security regarding children’s educational future. The essay will also focus on the benefits received from solution and how the institution will implement the solution into their process through certain smartphone application of Augmented Reality.

The prime point of the argument in terms of technology in classroom teaching is that the students have to have a clear understanding of the concepts so that they can use those in their daily life. Students are using all different technologies, which has increased their dependence on technology, reducing individual labour. This is something adversely affecting their skills of creativity and innovation (Tadesse, Manathunga and Gillies 2020).  Smartphones and MacBooks have become second nature to them. The technology and learning equation should be an integral part of the education and student's natural ability. However, the importance of technology in the workplace has become more critical in today's world. But, the challenge is that  parents are more inclined towards paper-based learning so that their child can implement the bookish concept as compared to the machine learning process (Ku?ak, Juri?i? and ?ambi? 2018). In the institution mentioned above, they have introduced all sorts of 21^st century technology, for revolutionizing the standards and quality of education. However, the parents are of the view that in a rat race to enhance competitive advantage, the institution has almost assisted the students in forgetting the traditional approach of learning (Huang and Liaw 2018). Thus, an effective and convincing solution would be provided in the further discussion that will help the parents to get assurance, that the solution will enhance their children’s skills and knowledge and also make them learn the proper usage of technology.

Seymour Papert developed a theory, known as Constructionism learning theory. The theory is based on Piaget’s experimental learning theory. The main essence of the theory is that children create their own world of knowledge on beng exposed to different and wide-ranging materials, which involves technological usage like robotic kits, blocks, beads, and others shaping, and guiding their designing thinking skills, abilities, and competencies (Kucirkova 2019). In this context, Constructionism Learning Theory can be considered, as it promotes the learning process in terms of practical knowledge. Taking ideas from Piaget’s experiemental learning theory, Papert created a theory of his own, the main premise of which is that knowledge for the learner, is built through something which is shared with others, like an idea, a thought feeking, emotions, and others. Jean piaget proposed the major portion of his principles from his work with children (Kouicem 2020). The cognitive theory of Piaget explores how children develop. His theory can be divided into four different phases. Regardless of the fact that Piaget never specifically linked his cognitive development work to education, his theory plays an pivotal  in his contributions for assessing the role of technology in solving learning pedagogical challenges (Brahimi, Khalifa, and Benaouda 2019).

The solution in Theory (Literature)

Connectivism, a new learning theory, could be discussed in this context, which reflects on synthesis of thoughts, theories and general information for enhancing their learning standards and quality (Utecht and Keller 2019). It is helpful in digital technology, and it puts focus on digital technology as a web browser, the internet and other technological sources as part of learning avenues. The convergence of ideas investigated by chaos, connectivity system, dynamic, and self-organizational theories is popularly considered as connectivism (Downes 2019). It is these different contexts and settings, which provides practical knowledge on how technology has revolutionized the operations in settings like that of classroom, especially learning of the students (Vas, Weber and Gkoumas 2018). The foundation of connectivism theory can be stated on the randomly changing technology. Connectivism represents a mode of learning process that appreciate the technological shift in the educational sector. With the help of the technological advancement, the functions and learning model has changed the relationship between humans and technology. Connectivism sheds new light on the capabilities and activities that students could accomplish through augmented reality (Utecht  and Keller 2019)

Source: (Shrivastava 2018)

The above diagram states the mental process of an incoming first yeat student, regarding the preconceived knowledge on high school, guidance from counsellors, college administrators, and academic advisors. All of these notions are changed when the students penetrates into the college, and gaining new information, which influenced by digitalization. Keeping these aspect in mind, the pedagogical challenge that is the essay's main concern can be related to the constructionism theory as the parents demand for undertaking their children through the traditional learning process.

Through the discussions on constructivism and connectivism learning theories, constructivism learning theory gains preference. This is because upon exposure to the technologies like robotic kits, blocks, beads, the students feel interested to enhance the learning styles (Tadesse, Manathunga, and Gillies 2020). Digital learning, especially about augmented reality, enhances their design thinking skills and creativity, which is like an addiction to them. It is a separate kind of world where they intend to spend more time. In this context, application of AR technology is an effective aspect, as it would enable the students to upgrade their learning. But the parents dislike this separate tech world created by the students, as it is increasing their dependence on technologies, reducing their individual creativity. Parents need to understand that the students could learn better by digital socialization, which is possible through smart AR technologies. Herein lays the correlation with connetivism. But, constructivism, enhances the learning of students, when they are exposed to technologies in different context and settings. It is for the parents to understand that this enhancement expands their scope and aremna of knowledge, which is boring in case of traditional approaches to learning (Shrivastava 2018).

Innovative solutions could be reflected in the use of Augmented reality. It has various applications in the world. One of the uses of the technology is for writers who will get assistance in handwriting, typing students with spelling concerns. It will also assist with language use or grammar concerns.  One of the other applications of AR technology is that students can access the learning materials easily, as it is less expensive. Here, example could be cited of EON Entrepreneur School, Irvine which has maximum use of Augmented Reality, catering to the development of technological skills of students (Debroy 2017). This augmented reality helps the students to implemented project based learning in the real projects. Chandler Traditional Academy, Independent Campus Arizona uses Augmented reality in STEM teaching especially in the technology classes. Reference could also be cited of Montour School, Pensylvania, where AR technology is used for evoking teamwork, and improving commyunication and collaboration (Viewsonic.com 2019). In Augmented reality, students only need smartphones or Macbook Interactive sessions could be conducted in class, where the students would get interest in improving their learning (Iatsyshyn et al. 2020). Through the implementation of Augmented reality technology in the Biligual School, the student’s design thinking abilities and competencies will develop. Sharples et al. (2014) opines that the teachers can organize practical classes about AR and Assistive technology to help the students to understand the concept.

• Learning Scope: AR-implemented classroom teaching helps students become more engrossed and focused on certain subjects like Science, Mathematics. An interactive educational opportunity enables the students to utilise hands-on learning skills to increase their involvement, and improve their learning perspective, and learn and develop new skills.
• Collaborative Study Technique: AR content can be shared quickly as it is digital technology. For  an instance, teachers can collaborate with their learners to continue improving the material. Students will be motivated to learn in a blended learning environment since they are actively involved in the creation of educational content (Sáez-López et al. 2020).
• Development of Multisensory Experience: Teachers can use augmented reality to develop multidimensional teaching strategies. Online AR content that incorporates an interactive learning approach in which students take part in activities rather than viewing a demonstrations improves learners (Khoshnevisan and Le 2018). This practice can enhance sensory development.
• Cost Effectiveness: The pricing of AR technology is usually reported as an obstacle to adoption. However, as smartphone use among young Africans continues to climb, and since smartphones have all the infrastructure required to run Ar applications, augmented reality in school has become more less expensive to incorporate. AR can also save money on education by replacing costly manuals (Iatsyshyn et al. 2020).
• Teacher can use Augmented Reality to plan, organise, and maintain records of his schedule, calendar, list of activities, contact details, and other notes. With the help of specific software and hand-held gadgets, someone can organise, save, and retrieve such information (Sáez et al. 2020).
• Students who suffer with computing, arranging, synchronizing, and writing math equations down on paper can benefit from Augmented Reality aids for math, as it is better equipped and helps to compute basic math problems with the use of visual and/or auditory support.

Solution in Practice

AR (augmented reality) is a low-cost training strategy that gives technologically enhanced interactive content. Although augmented reality cannot replace traditional learning and development programmes, it can be a valuable supplement to the overall plan (Khoshnevisan and Le 2018). Under the AR technology, there are some assistive learning tools that can be adopted to improve the pedagogical challenge of the students. These are software packages, proofreading tools, automatic word trackers, and corrections, which when used in conjunction with word processing, allow a user to generate, store, and reuse acronyms for commonly used words or phrases. This could save  user activity and ensure that the phrases he has entered as abbreviations are spelled correctly. Students who have difficulty with writing skills may benefit from software applications that analyze word processor projects and warn the user to possible errors. For these students, Word prediction software can be of great help in improving their writing patterns, and styles (Ahmad and Junaini 2020).

In the implementation process of Augmented reality, the teachers needs to identify the ways in which parents could be convinced regarding its use by the students. It can be recommended that the teachers can organize seminars and webinars, involving the parents. Through this way, the parents could be convinced that the students are getting information on subjects with one click under one roof, which is a very time consuming process in traditional ways of learning. This is because, they have to search many books, the access of which is not always available to the students, affecting self-study. The teachers can provide practical experience of learning academic contents with the help of AR technology, as it is the best design for enhancing the scope of the traditional learning modules (Bairaktarova, Van Den Einde and Bell 2019). The institution needs to ensure that the screens of the AR technology is kept as a considerable distance from the students, and not very close. This would reduce the concern of parents to some extent regading the harmful health consequences of using technology for studying. Another part of integrating the AR technology in classroom teaching is to modify certain apps such as Popar Toys, Aurasma, Daqri Studio, Fetch Lunch Rush, AugThat and present it in seminars, so that they would be made aware of the benefits these apps would perovide to the students, enhancing their design thinking skills, and judgemental capabilities (Fan and Antle 2020). Evaluation is needed to assess whether the AR technology is working well in terms of addressing the communication learning needs of the students. If the leartning needs of the students are met, then the parents could be convinced sbout its implementation in the schools, otherwise not. Therefore, continuous improvcement and evaluation is needed to avoid any negative instances.

The above discussion clearly states the process through which the proposed solution can be introduced in the Bilingual School. At the starting point, it would be at an experimental state. After one month of trial, the institution needs to take feedback from the parents regarding the improvements of their children. If the results is positive and the parents are convinced with the system then only integrate the Augmented Reality with classroom teaching. Through the implementation of this AR technology, students can enhance virtual learning skills, abilities, and competencies that would be beneficial for their future. The prime idea of providing this solution is that the parents can be assured that this AR technology is used for the betterment of the students and it also helps the student to cuttle the spending time on social networking sites. In all of these, the concern of parents are not to be ignored as it is really a matter of concern for them, as it is the question of their children’s future (Tanalol et al. 2021). Seminars, webinars, could be organized, where the parents would be demonstrated the functions of AR technology, and the benefits which the students could receive from downloading the apps. Rational and logical justification woild help the parents to understand the need for technology in terms of upgrading the learning standards, and quality, mapping the changed relationship between humans and computers. These aspects would be convincing enough for the parents to understand the extent to which technology like AR is needed for the students.  

Conclusion:

Here the main pedagogical challenge was that according to the parents, their children are becoming more technology freek, and they loose the opportunity to have interactive session and practical exposure of engrossing concept. Here the provided solution for overcoming this pedagogical challenges is invention of Augmented Reality in the classroom teaching for this Biligual school. It is obviously that AR technology is commonly used in educational sector as it helps the students to solve the complicated chapters. Nevertheless, in conclusion, it can be said that,  like all other innovation in educational field, augmented reality is an instrument that could be put to the utmost usage with a proper planning. The best approach to employing the technology seem to be to create classes that use augmented reality to enhance, rather than eliminate, more conventional teaching methods. This can be done by implementing the multiple applications and games of  augmented reality such a flexible and effective tool for classroom practice. Teachers could use technologies to upgrade their own educational methods, that is an intriguing prospect. In all of the processes of implementing the AR technology, the administrations, teachers, and other staffs, need to ensure that the processes seem convincing for the parents. This coiuld be possible, if they are involved in seminars, webinars, which provide them swith practical demonstratuons on the technology, related apps, and the way they would help the students in enhancing their learning in subjects of Science, Mathematics and others. This approach would result in parents’ approval, which would add smoothness into the process of implementing the technology, which possesses capability to ensure academic establishment of the students.

References

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