Augmented reality ARC welding learning application to enhance student’s motivation

This study introduces a mobile application integrated with augmented reality that can be used by Mechanical Engineering students to learn welding subject. Moreover, a study of perception among a sample of respondents who have used the app has been conducted. Normally, students will learn the theoretical concepts of welding in the class followed by instruction-based training in the workshop. However, students have difficulty to follow everything that has been taught in the class in a limited time. Welding is dangerous for beginners and the welding environments are harmful and injurious to the health. Furthermore, the preliminary study revealed that the students lacked sufficient materials to assist them during revision and need additional materials for welding learning. This study proposes the Mobile Arc Welding Learning (MAWL) app which use mobile app integrated with augmented reality technology to study user’s perceptions based on ease of use, engagement, learnability, satisfaction and usefulness. The research methodology in this study was adapted from Kuechler and Vaishnavi which consists of five phases: awareness of problems, suggestions, development, evaluation, and conclusion. The study incorporates the ARCS motivation model and constructivist theory to provide effective learning material. The evaluation results showed that the independent variables (Engagement, Satisfaction and Usefulness) are significantly related to the dependent variable (motivation). The results of the perception study indicate that the users strongly agreed on ease of use, learnability, satisfaction, usefulness and motivation, while they agreed on engagement. The main contribution of this study is the MAWL app which is a supplementary learning tool with the purpose to motivate students in welding learning. The results show that the ARCS motivation model and constructivist theory can be applied to develop effective learning materials found in the Mobile Arc Welding Learning (MAWL) app. Besides that, engagement, satisfaction and usefulness have positive influence on motivation. Thus, when designing and developing AR mobile-based welding learning app, factors including engagement, satisfaction and usefulness need to be integrated into the app to improve the student’s motivation towards the tool.