Innovating Digestive System Education through Augmented Reality Technology: Enhancing Student Engagement, Understanding, and Motivation

Augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a transformative tool in education, offering immersive and interactive learning experiences. Anatomy education, particularly the gastrointestinal system, often relies on traditional 2D materials that fail to engage students or provide sufficient visualization of its complex structure and functions. To address these challenges, this study developed a mobile AR application featuring 3D visualizations of the gastrointestinal system, designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

The application, created using Unity 3D and Vuforia with the Prototyping method, incorporates interactive features such as animated organ models, quizzes, and multimedia content. Black box testing validated its functionality, while usability testing highlighted improvements in user satisfaction and learning. Quantitative analysis revealed a 30% reduction in quiz completion time and a 25.3% improvement in post-test scores, indicating enhanced comprehension and retention. These results demonstrate the application’s effectiveness in engaging students and simplifying complex concepts. The interactive and immersive AR features significantly boosted understanding and motivation. This research highlights AR's potential to revolutionize educational tools, with future studies focusing on its long-term effects on learning outcomes and broader applications in education.