Beginning a college education can be a daunting task even for the well prepared. One of the most challenging tasks facing impending collegiate is finding a school that is best for their educational needs. In an effort to win favor with students, colleges often create guidebooks that showcase the various features and offerings of a particular school. Such guidebooks have, in the past, been instrumental in procuring new students. As technology advances, however, the need to engage the next generation of tech-savvy students is becoming more pronounced.
The United Kingdom’s Kendal College, a further education institute based in Lake District National Park, has released a new guidebook for the school that uses augmented reality. The book contains several pages which play host to video interviews, guided tours and other digital features. Prospective students can view the content with their iPhone. The key features of the guidebook are the interviews with current students.
This use of augmented reality comes from Daniel Hodge, head of digital media, art and design at the school. Hodge recognizes that mobile technology is becoming a fundamental part of a student’s life and that engaging them on platforms they are most familiar with can be very effective. Hodge believes that hearing from current students via a video interview rather than printed word could hold more weight for those considering attending the school.
