Augmented reality (AR) is changing the way we teach and train. From primary school classrooms to professional development, it’s opening up new possibilities for interactive, hands-on education. Complex ideas become tangible, lessons become immersive, and engagement levels soar.
Here’s how AR is reshaping education and workplace training — and why it’s fast becoming a tool educators and trainers won’t want to be without.
AR projected heart (with beating animation)
Making the abstract feel real
Bringing concepts to life
AR takes complex subject matter and makes them accessible. Imagine a biology class where students can explore a beating human heart in 3D instead of just looking at textbook diagrams. That’s the kind of learning experience that sticks.
We saw this first-hand when we worked with Health Education England, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority on M-Care — a suite of AR resources for schoolchildren.
Our 3D models of human body systems helped bring anatomy lessons to life, proving invaluable in the classroom.
And it’s not just for schools. AR can support professional training too. If you’re studying to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, you’ll need hands-on practice — but an interactive AR model is a powerful way to start.
Strengthening understanding
By letting learners interact with digital models, AR bridges the gap between theory and visualisation. It’s an approach that helps students grasp concepts in maths, science, and beyond.
Member of train staff enjoying the Fantasia VR experience
Learning that’s active and engaging
From spectator to participant
AR turns passive learning into active exploration. Virtual field trips, historical reconstructions, and interactive exhibits let students experience lessons in new and memorable ways.
We put this idea into action when we designed an AR train app that detected landmarks and triggered interactive content. Picture the same approach in a school setting — an AR experience that brings historic sites like the Tower of London or Styal Mill to life, adding layers of detail that spark curiosity and deepen understanding.
Boosting retention
When lessons are interactive, they stick. AR encourages curiosity and helps learners absorb information more effectively. It’s learning by doing rather than just listening.
A user's Xploro buddy projected in AR
A more inclusive approach to education
Supporting different learning styles
Every learner is different. Some are visual, some learn best by doing. AR caters to them all — whether through 3D models, text, audio, or hands-on interaction.
When we developed Xploro, a paediatric healthcare platform, accessibility was at the core of our thinking. We worked with children of different ages and medical backgrounds to make sure the platform worked for them. AR was a key part of it — helping kids explore hospital environments and medical equipment in a way that was interactive and reassuring.
Now an independent multimillion-dollar company, Xploro continues to help young patients worldwide.
Personalised learning
With AR, educational content can be adapted to suit different abilities, making lessons more inclusive and effective. Whether a student learns best through text, images, or kinaesthetic experiences, AR provides multiple ways to engage.
School children interacting with their co-design 'Roadbot' character
Bridging theory and practice
Hands-on training, without the risk
For industries like engineering, medicine, and technology, AR brings theoretical learning into the real world. Trainees can virtually dismantle machinery, examine complex systems, or practise emergency procedures — all without the risks or costs of real-world training.
Take MRI scanners, for example. With AR, students can ‘explode’ a 3D model, revealing every component—from the radio frequency coil to the patient table—gaining a deeper understanding of how it all works.
Real-world simulations
By replicating real-world scenarios in a safe digital space, AR allows learners to experiment, make mistakes, and refine their skills before applying them in practice.
Cost-effective, safe, and scalable training
Reducing risk
In fields where mistakes can be costly — or even dangerous — AR offers a safe alternative. Lab technicians, for example, can practise handling volatile substances in a virtual environment before doing it for real.
Cutting costs, not corners
Replacing physical materials with digital alternatives makes high-quality training more accessible. AR reduces reliance on expensive equipment while still providing hands-on learning opportunities.
Enhancing traditional teaching
AR isn’t about replacing tried-and-tested teaching methods—it’s about enhancing them. The best approach is a balance: use AR to clarify complex concepts and encourage participation while keeping the personalised support that traditional teaching offers.
At Corporation Pop, we help educators and trainers integrate AR in a way that complements, rather than disrupts, their existing methods. Testing new tools in a controlled environment allows for seamless integration, ensuring the best outcomes for students and trainees.
What’s next?
The way we learn is evolving. By combining traditional teaching with interactive AR experiences, we can make education more engaging, inclusive, and effective.
At Corporation Pop, we love designing AR experiences that make a real difference in education and professional training. Whether you’re looking to bring history lessons to life, train future surgeons, or create interactive learning for diverse audiences, we can help you turn ideas into impactful experiences.
Want to explore what AR could do for your training or educational programme? Let’s chat.
Get in touch