Looking Past Seeing Present: Teaching Historical Empathy Skills via Augmented Reality

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of using augmented reality (AR) in gaining historical empathy skills. AR cards were used in different periods of the history lesson. A mixed design method including pre-test and post-test is used to A mixed methods research design with pre-test and post-test is used to determine the developments in empathy skills using the Historical Empathy Scale. Also, interviews were carried out to explore the role of AR in the development of historical empathy skills. The results indicated that using AR cards positively affected the development of empathy skills. Constructing mental schemas and visualization of historical events were the remarkable factors that mostly contributed positively to the development of empathy skills. We hope that the findings of this study would assist in the future design and implementation of AR in history courses.