Higher Immersive Profiles Improve Learning Outcomes in Augmented Reality Learning Environments

Augmented reality (AR)-based learning environments are argued to foster cognitive and emotional involvement. Immersion has been identified as one of the driving forces that promote learning in technology-based learning environments. This study evaluated the learning effectiveness and immersion appeal of an AR-marker-based learning activity targeted at practicing basic chemistry concepts. Data were collected from a cohort of 124 middle school students in Mexico and analyzed using pretest–posttest comparisons and cluster analysis. The results suggest that students with higher immersive learning profiles achieve better learning outcomes compared with those with lower immersive profiles. The authors acknowledge the eMadrid Network, which is funded by the Madrid Regional Government (Comunidad de Madrid) with grant No. P2018/TCS-4307. This work also received partial support from FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades—Agencia Estatal de Investigación through project Smartlet (TIN2017-85179-C3-1-R) and received partial support from MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The publication is part of the I+D+i project “H2O Learn” (PID2020-112584RB-C31). We also acknowledge the program PRODEP in Mexico that supported this work (511-6/2019-8474).