In September 2022, PG Online launched Augmented Reality (AR) into its popular ClearRevise books, in the Science and Geography subject areas for GCSE students.
AR provides an interactive version of a real-world environment, with digital elements and video content. We have just won ‘Team of the Year’ at the 2022 Digital Education Awards for this innovation.
Former teacher and Director of PG Online, Rob Heathcote, said: “The addition of AR functionality will offer a modern, alternative tool to enrich the printed books in a way that increases students’ engagement in learning. We are delighted to be the first UK publisher of revision guides to offer this new and exciting functionality.”
AR content includes 3D models that students can interact with through rotate, pinch and zoom gestures and access video content and curated links that explains topics in more detail.
Rob added: “The 3D aspect can bring flat printed diagrams to life, for example, a beating heart can come to life whether you are sat at your desk, on the bus or on the sofa. Students can watch the valves rhythmically move and study its parts, supported by labels, additional descriptions and links to further information. A chemical formula can now be displayed as a three-dimensional ball and stick model to better understand it beyond a 2D diagram.”
PG Online has a proven record of improving results in schools using their teaching resources, and hopes that the ClearRevise series will provide a similar advantage to students with the addition of AR.
“AR offers a second perspective when students are trying to understand a new concept, potentially saving both them and teachers time with additional research. Some students may not even think to explore a concept in this way, so the possibilities are endless for a deeper understanding with a subject, and there is no reason why that would not contribute towards improved grades,” said Rob.
This technology will work retrospectively on existing ClearRevise books, with any changes or additional experiences updated on the app in seconds.
Support students with free revision books in its ‘1,000 Lucky Learners’ campaign
The Dorset-based independent educational publishing company, PG Online, is giving away 1,000 free copies of its ClearRevise revision books in its January campaign ‘1000 Lucky Learners’, to help support students’ revision this winter.
The ClearRevise series was first developed in 2020 and now consists of over twenty subject guides and has twice won the national Education Resource Awards (ERA).
Rob said: “The heart of our business is publishing books which enhance learning for students. The ClearRevise series is a beautifully illustrated format that is clear and concise as possible. We are giving away 1,000 free books to students in the hope that we can help make a difference to learning, and ultimately grades, at a time when life is challenging for many families.”
The ClearRevise guides have been written by experts who understand the ‘science of revision’, combining pictures and words to enhance learning for students. The inclusion of Augmented Reality (AR) technology brings the pages of the Science and Geography books to life through 3D models that students can interact with.
Rob said: “The addition of AR functionality offers a modern, alternative tool to enrich printed books in a way that increases students’ engagement and motivation in learning. We are delighted to be the first UK publisher of revision guides to offer this new and exciting functionality.”
Rob continued: “We believe our books are an invaluable resource not only for students but also for members of the family supporting them during what is one of the most important milestones in their education journey. Our goal is to see as many students as possible benefiting from this resource and we’re delighted to be able to offer free books as part of the 1000 Lucky Learners campaign to help make this happen.”
PG Online also provides online teaching resources alongside the ClearRevise series which are endorsed by teachers and exam boards used in classrooms across schools in the UK and internationally.
