Exploring the Potential Benefits and Challenges of Augmented Reality in TVET Programs: A Mixed Methods Study

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is aimed at providing trainees with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies needed for work. With the rapid development of information technology, how the virtual world of augmented reality (AR) can be used to enrich TVET has drawn much attention. Employing a mixed method, focus of this paper is to study the possible benefits and challenges of using AR in TVET programs, as well key factors behind its effective implementation. The researchers conducted a quantitative online survey of 200 participants who were either students or instructors at TVET institutions, and from this the researchers selected the sample of students and instructors to be interviewed. In this study, research findings show that AR has the potential for increased students’ participation and improved learning performance in TVET programs. But the use of it also has some technical, ideological leverage, the survey found such barriers and support required for instructors that desires learning with this kit on their class instruction. Our study also discovered some important enabling factors necessary for implementing AR in TVET programs, such as the instructor support and the satisfaction of the students. Accordingly, based on the findings, the study suggests that TVET should grasp particular attention of potential benefits and challenges. Instructors and students would then need substantial training support if it is to work in practice. Further study is needed to explore what the long-term impact is on students’ outcomes in TVET programs.