Evaluating the use of augmented reality technology to improve construction management student’s spatial skills

There is a continual challenge within the construction industry to achieve schedule, budget, and quality expectations at a time when projects are more complex, and their design and assembly involve some measure of abstract spatial skills. The outcomes of teaching these spatial skills in today’s construction management classroom often fall short of meeting the needs of industry. This research advocates the use of augmented reality–which allows one to view the real world with the addition of external information intended to provide a new understanding of what is being seen. This study found that students perceived ease of effort and satisfaction by using augmented reality to help them with their spatial skills learning. In fact, it was discovered that the use of augmented reality benefited the cognitive process. Augmented reality is fast proving advantageous in many other industries, and with the availability of smaller, more powerful consumer mobile devices, augmented reality can become a practical tool for the construction industry as well. The addition of these technologies, as a complement to drafting and plan reading courses, can enhance postsecondary education, in addition to preparing the construction industry’s future workforce.