# A Review on Augmented Reality in Education and Geography: State of the Art and Perspectives
###### Abstract  
Augmented Reality (AR) is an innovative tool in education, enhancing learning experiences across multiple domains. This literature review explores the application of AR in education, with a particular focus on geographical learning. The study begins by tracing the historical development of AR, distinguishing it from Virtual Reality (VR) and highlighting its advantages in an educational context. The integration of AR into learning environments has been shown to improve engagement, comprehension of abstract concepts, and collaboration among students. The use of AR in geographical education through interactive applications, such as GeoAR and AR Sandbox, improves the exploration of spatial relationships, topographic maps, and environmental changes. Studies demonstrate that AR enhances students' ability to recall information and understand geographical processes more effectively than with traditional methods. Furthermore, AR Sandbox implementations, including Illuminating Clay, SandScape, and AR Sandbox, are analyzed and compared. The paper also discusses future developments in AR for geography education for AR Sandbox, such as the integration of a mobile application for extended learning and improving computing solutions through Raspberry Pi. These advancements aim to make AR systems more accessible and to increase the benefits to both students and professors.  
augmented reality; AR sandbox; 3D modeling; topographic maps; immersive learning; mobile AR applications; digital learning 2025  
20 May  
progressing from experimental hardware used in research laboratories to portable and accessible tools integrated into everyday teaching environments. Each stage of development brought forward key innovations not only in hardware and software but also in how users interact with digital content. This progression shaped the user experience and made immersive technologies increasingly practical in pedagogical contexts.  
By tracing this chronological advancement, insights into the foundational elements that underlie current AR systems and their suitability for educational use are gained. This includes early inventions such as head-mounted displays, tracking systems, and projection technologies, all of which influenced the responsiveness and usability of AR applications. In particular, the shift from heavy lab equipment to lightweight mobile platforms marks a turning point in AR's applicability to classroom settings. These changes did not occur in isolation but were caused by a growing interest across disciplines, including education, medicine, military training, and manufacturing, each demanding greater interactivity, precision, and ease of use.  
This historical perspective is especially relevant in understanding how AR became a promising tool in geography education, where spatial relationships and environmental processes are naturally visual and interactive. Before focusing on the modern educational applications, the following section provides an overview of the key technological milestones that have shaped the current landscape of AR and VR. This foundation will support a deeper analysis of their pedagogical integration and set the context for the comparative discussion that follows.