The learning effect of augmented reality training in a computer-based simulation environment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the learning effect of Augmented Reality (AR) in a computer-based simulation environment for training an operator to interact with a radar screen. The research team developed the AR training system for Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator (AAWC) and the training textbook for the same task. By using these, we compared the performance between a group trained by the AR method and another group trained by the textbook method. 24 undergraduate students in the Junior and Senior levels joined in this experiment. The experiment consisted of two sessions: training session and practice session. During the training session, 12 of the students completed the training lesson by using the AR training (Group A), and the other 12 students completed the training lesson using the AAWC training textbook. To evaluate the performance of AAWC task, we used Situational Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT). The ANOVA results indicate there was a significant performance difference between Group A and Group B, F (1,12) = 12.29,p < 0.01. Participants who were instructed by the AR training showed higher situation awareness compared to others. It supports the training, which is designed based on AR contents, can provide a positive learning effect in computer-based training simulation.