Effect of Augmented Reality on the Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students in Econometrics in Northwest, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper investigated the effect of augmented reality on the academic performance of undergraduate students in econometrics in the northwest, Nigeria. The paper sought to determine whether there was a difference in the academic performance of the students taught using AR and those taught the same using a traditional approach. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design. The population of the study involved all 300- level students in the two universities under the study. Intact classes of 41 and 31 students were selected as experimental and control groups respectively. An augmented reality (Simple Boy) was used as the treatment, and an econometrics test instrument (ETI) was used as a research instrument for the study. The instrument was validated by experts, and subjected to a pilot study. A reliability index of 0.76 was obtained using KR-21. The study found that there was a significant difference in the academic performance of the students taught using the AR and those taught the same content using the traditional approach in favour of those taught using the AR. There was also a significant difference in the academic performance of the students taught using the AR-based on gender, in favour of female students. The study concluded that augmented reality is an emerging technology that if used diligently in the instructional process is capable of revolutionizing education in the 21st century. There is no doubt that the technology is effective in improving students’ active participation in the learning process which in turn promotes students’ academic performance at all levels of education. It was recommended that Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that researchers should design and develop augmented reality apps and test their effectiveness in different scenarios and different learning environments. This would help to further ascertain its strengths and weaknesses for quality assurance, control, and integration in the education sector.