Introduction to Innovative Learning
On June 24, 2025, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Forestry department hosted a novel seminar that explored the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) in enhancing student training with complex machinery. The event, which took place from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in Room CAWP 2916 (Caseroom), was open to all and held in person only.
The Seminar Abstract
The hands-on seminar and demo on the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) aimed to show how AR can improve the educational experience for college students working with complex equipment. Acquiring and retaining knowledge of advanced machinery is crucial within the forestry program, because it prepares students to guide the industry. However, with hands-on courses spread throughout the curriculum, it may possibly be difficult for college students to achieve comprehensive knowledge. To address this, the department is developing interactive guides for equipment setup, maintenance, safety, and troubleshooting, delivered via high-definition AR headsets. These guides overlay step-by-step visual instructions directly onto the machine, enabling protected and immersive "learning by doing."
The Speaker: Jörn
The seminar featured Jörn, an Assistant Professor of Teaching on the Department of Wood Science, who has built a profound profession in wood products design and development. With a background in cabinetmaking and a level in Wood Science, Jörn has worn many hats throughout the UBC Wood Science and CAWP family since 2005. He has served as a student, client, manager, and lecturer, and has gained precious insights from his time at Oregon State’s TallWood Design Institute. Jörn’s focus is on advancing undergraduate education in wood product design and development at UBC Forestry and Environmental Stewardship.
The Benefits of Augmented Reality
The use of AR in education offers quite a few advantages, including enhanced engagement, improved knowledge retention, and increased safety. By providing students with immersive and interactive learning experiences, AR can assist to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The development of interactive guides for equipment setup, maintenance, safety, and troubleshooting is a big step forward on this direction.
Conclusion
The seminar on Augmented Reality in forestry education marked a crucial milestone within the department’s efforts to innovate and improve student learning outcomes. With its potential to reinforce engagement, knowledge retention, and safety, AR is poised to play a big role in shaping the longer term of forestry education. As the department continues to develop and refine its AR-based learning tools, it is probably going that we’ll see a brand new generation of forestry professionals who’re higher equipped to guide the industry and address the complex challenges of the twenty first century.
