The accelerated integration of advanced technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR), into educational practices underscores the urgent need to develop new digital competencies among students. This pilot study examines how AR can serve as a transformative tool to foster these competencies in higher education.
Conducted with final-year Pedagogy students at the University of Santiago de Compostela, this study addresses a critical gap in the training of future educators, highlighting their evolving role not merely as users but as creators and curators of virtual content—an area traditionally reserved for IT professionals.
Using a mixed-method approach, the study evaluates the impact of AR on variables such as motivation, task success, and user satisfaction. Through activities designed to familiarize students with AR tools and methodologies, participants progressed from theoretical understanding to practical application, integrating AR into their individual projects.
The findings reveal AR’s potential to enhance students' technical skills and redefine their role within the digital learning ecosystem. By positioning themselves as "prosumers," students demonstrated their ability to design and implement AR-based solutions tailored to real-world educational contexts.
This study highlights the importance of systematic training in AR and its implications for fostering collaboration, innovation, and stronger engagement with emerging technologies in education.
Moreover, it contributes to the growing body of research advocating for the integration of advanced digital tools to bridge the gap between traditional educational practices and the demands of a digitally interconnected society.
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How to cite: Vidal, I. M. G., Cebreiro López, B., & Casal Otero, L. (2021). New digital skills in students empowered with the use of Augmented Reality. Pilot Study. RIED. Revista Iberoamericana de Educación a Distancia, 24(1), 137–157. https://doi.org/10.5944/ried.24.1.27501
