Step-by-step augmented reality in power engineering education

For digital native generations, augmented reality (AR) represents a friendly way to enrich reality with virtual, computer-generated elements. Considering the students' proficiency for the use of smartphones, internet and of continuously refreshing applications, AR is very suited for a modern engineering education. In this field, AR supports a better understanding and a thorough learning, while increasing the commitment and the motivation for learning. The paper presents the step-by-step approach to the AR technology adopted within the Power Engineering Faculty of the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Romania. Such an approach lets students and teachers time to get used to the change, to adjust the vision of AR implementation according to the results obtained so far and to keep up to the newest available technologies. Based on the Aurasma free platform, augmented information, images, and videos were created to appear in books, presentations, and on experimental units for three laboratories. Within the paper, the way in which AR works, may be directly experienced by the reader, as it was by a group of students and faculty members included in a pilot study. According to their feedback, the use of AR in power engineering education facilitates a better understanding of this complex technical domain, providing new and challenging opportunities to integrate theory with practice and to acquire authentic skills in their professional areas.