Developing augmented reality and virtual reality digital pop-up books to foster a reading culture in elementary schools

Abstract

Background: Developing a reading culture among elementary school students is important for supporting literacy development and meaningful learning in Indonesia. Digital learning media may help teachers to provide more engaging and contextual reading materials. Augmented reality (AR)- and virtual reality (VR)-based digital pop-up books offer a possible direction for instructional media development, but such development should be grounded in teachers’ perceived needs. Aim: This study described elementary school teachers’ perceptions and instructional needs regarding AR- and VR-based digital pop-up books to support reading culture in elementary education. Setting: The study involved 137 elementary school teachers from Pandeglang Regency, Indonesia. Methods: This descriptive quantitative survey collected data through a 25-item structured questionnaire. The instrument was developed as a content-reviewed needs assessment tool covering seven dimensions: reading culture achievement, authenticity, technological integration, functionality, communicative learning, contextuality and assessment. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and descriptive statistics. Results: The mean agreement rate across the seven indicators was 85.14%. The highest agreement rates were found for technological integration and communicative learning, each at 88.00%, while the lowest agreement rate was for functionality at 80.00%. Conclusion: The findings show that many teachers perceive the need for reading materials that are technologically integrated, communicative, contextual, authentic, functional and assessment-oriented. Contribution: This study provides a descriptive needs assessment to inform the early development of AR- and VR-based digital pop-up books for elementary reading instruction. The findings represent teachers’ perceived needs, not evidence of media effectiveness. Further research should develop, validate and test the media in classroom settings.