Enhancing vocational education through augmented reality: Android-based learning media for CNC TU-2A instruction in technical and vocational high schools

Authors

  • Rezky Azhari Salim Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
  • Syahril Syahril Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
  • Nelvi Erizon Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58712/jerel.v4i2.188

Keywords:

augmented reality, CNC TU-2A, Android learning media, vocational education, student engagement, psychomotor skills

Abstract

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has opened new opportunities for transforming vocational education, particularly in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining. Despite its vital role in preparing skilled workers, CNC instruction in Indonesian vocational schools remains constrained by teacher-cantered methods, static materials, and limited access to costly machines, resulting in low engagement and achievement. This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate Android-based Augmented Reality (AR) learning media for CNC TU-2A machines to enhance students’ cognitive performance, psychomotor skills, and classroom participation. Using a Classroom Action Research (CAR) model across two cycles, the research involved 31 eleventh-grade Mechanical Engineering students at SMK Negeri 5 Padang. Data were collected through cognitive tests, student activity observations, and surveys. Results showed significant improvements: average cognitive scores rose from 75.91 to 82.47, classical mastery increased from 54.83% to 100%, and psychomotor scores improved by 3.24 points. Student learning activities also climbed from 72.2% to 80.4%, with discussion and collaboration showing the highest gain (17%). While barriers such as device limitations and technical issues arose, they were addressed through device sharing, offline content, and teacher mentoring. Findings confirm AR as an effective, scalable tool for modernizing CNC instruction, fostering engagement, and preparing vocational students for Industry 4.0 learning demands.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmadi, Golchehreh, Mohammadi, A., Asadzhandi, S., Shah, M., & Mojtahedzadeh, R. (2023). What Are the Indicators of Student Engagement in Learning Management Systems? A Systematized Review of the Literature. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 24, 117–136. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v24i1.6453

Ahshan, R. (2021). A framework of implementing strategies for active student engagement in remote/online teaching and learning during the covid-19 pandemic. Education Sciences, 11(9), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11090483

Alkhabra, Y. A., Ibrahem, U. M., & Alkhabra, S. A. (2023). Augmented reality technology in enhancing learning retention and critical thinking according to STEAM program. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01650-w

Asoodar, M., Janesarvatan, F., Yu, H., & de Jong, N. (2024). Theoretical foundations and implications of augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality for immersive learning in health professions education. Advances in Simulation, 9(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41077-024-00311-5

Bleicher, R. E. (2014). A collaborative action research approach to professional learning. Professional Development in Education, 40(5), 802–821. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2013.842183

Ceylan, E., & Comoglu, I. (2024). Action research in initial EFL teacher education: emerging insights from a CAR project. Educational Action Research, 32(3), 438–453. https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2023.2187854

Cheng, Y., Lee, M. H., Yang, C. S., & Wu, P. Y. (2024). Hands-on interaction in the augmented reality (AR) chemistry laboratories enhances the learning effects of low-achieving students: a pilot study. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 21(1), 44–66. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-04-2022-0045

Dargan, S., Bansal, S., Kumar, M., Mittal, A., & Kumar, K. (2023). Augmented Reality: A Comprehensive Review. Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 30(2), 1057–1080. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11831-022-09831-7

Fadillah, F., Refdinal, R., Sari, D. Y., & Efendi, F. (2024). The Use of Audio-Visual Media in The Subject of Basic Knowledge of Mechanical Engineering in Class X SMK Negeri 5 Padang. Jurnal Vokasi Mekanika (VoMek), 6(4), 458–466. https://doi.org/10.24036/vomek.v6i4.764

Fernández-Enríquez, R., & Delgado-Martín, L. (2020). Augmented reality as a didactic resource for teaching mathematics. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 10(7), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072560

Hsu, K. C., & Liu, G. Z. (2023). The construction of a theory-based augmented reality-featured context-aware ubiquitous learning facilitation framework for oral communication development. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 39(3), 883–898. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12792

Ibarra Kwick, J. M., Hernández-Uribe, Ó., Cárdenas-Robledo, L. A., & Luque-Morales, R. A. (2024). Extended Reality Applications for CNC Machine Training: A Systematic Review. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 8(9), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti8090080

Iqbal, M. Z., Mangina, E., & Campbell, A. G. (2022). Current Challenges and Future Research Directions in Augmented Reality for Education. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 6(9), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti6090075

Kitchen, J., & Stevens, D. (2008). Action research in teacher education: Two teacher-educators practice action research as they introduce action research to preservice teachers. Action Research, 6(1), 7–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476750307083716

Kumar, R., Sharma, S., Kumar, R., Verma, S., & Rafighi, M. (2023). Review of Lubrication and Cooling in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machine Tools: A Content and Visualization Analysis, Research Hotspots and Gaps. Sustainability, 15(6), 4970. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064970

Marques, B., Santos, B. S., & Dias, P. (2024). Ten years of immersive education: Overview of a Virtual and Augmented Reality course at postgraduate level. Computers and Graphics (Pergamon), 124, 104088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2024.104088

Matthews, R. A., Pineault, L., & Hong, Y. H. (2022). Normalizing the Use of Single-Item Measures: Validation of the Single-Item Compendium for Organizational Psychology. Journal of Business and Psychology, 37(4), 639–673. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-022-09813-3

McGrath, S., & Yamada, S. (2023). Skills for development and vocational education and training: Current and emergent trends. International Journal of Educational Development, 102, 102853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102853

Morales Méndez, G., & del Cerro Velázquez, F. (2024). Augmented Reality in Industry 4.0 Assistance and Training Areas: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Electronics (Switzerland), 13(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13061147

Muskhir, M., Luthfi, A., Watrianthos, R., Usmeldi, U., Fortuna, A., & Samala, A. D. (2024). Emerging Research on Virtual Reality Applications in Vocational Education: A Bibliometric Analysis. Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice, 23, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.28945/5284

Mystakidis, S., Fragkaki, M., & Filippousis, G. (2021). Ready teacher one: Virtual and augmented reality online professional development for k-12 school teachers. Computers, 10(10), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers10100134

Obe, P. I., Onah, E. N., & Ogechukwu, O. (2022). Strategies for Enhancing Utilization of Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machines for Implementation of Industrial Technical Education Programme in Universities. Journal of Home Economics Research, 29(2), 96–107. https://doi.org/10.4314/njt.v41i3.9

Papanastasiou, G., Drigas, A., Skianis, C., Lytras, M., & Papanastasiou, E. (2019). Virtual and augmented reality effects on K-12, higher and tertiary education students’ twenty-first century skills. Virtual Reality, 23(4), 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-018-0363-2

Permana, K. R., Purwantono, P., Nabawi, R. A., & Fauza, A. N. (2024). Independence and Work Discipline of Class XI Students of SMK Negeri 5 Padang in Machining Practice Study Program S1 Mechanical Engineering Education. Jurnal Vokasi Mekanika (VoMek), 6(4), 528–534. https://doi.org/10.24036/vomek.v6i4.777

Prasetya, F., Fortuna, A., Jalinus, N., Refdinal, R., Fajri, R., Wulansari, R. E., Primawati, P., Andriani, W., Samala, A. D., Luthfi, A., Putra, W. P., Ayasrah, F. T. M., & Kaya, D. (2024). Revolutionizing CNC Lathe Education: Designing Instructional Media Integrated Using Augmented Reality Technology. TEM Journal, 13(2), 1695–1701. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM132-82

Prasetya, F., Fortuna, A., Samala, A. D., Latifa, D. K., Andriani, W., Gusti, U. A., Raihan, M., Criollo-C, S., Kaya, D., & Cabanillas García, J. L. (2025). Harnessing artificial intelligence to revolutionize vocational education: Emerging trends, challenges, and contributions to SDGs 2030. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 11, 101401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101401

Prasetya, F., Syahri, B., Fajri, B. R., Wulansari, R. E., & Fortuna, A. (2023). Utilizing Virtual Laboratory to Improve CNC Distance Learning of Vocational Students at Higher Education. TEM Journal, 12(3), 1506–1518. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM123-31

Samala, A. D., & Amanda, M. (2023). Immersive Learning Experience Design (ILXD): Augmented Reality Mobile Application for Placing and Interacting with 3D Learning Objects in Engineering Education. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (IJIM), 17(5), 22–35. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v17i05.37067

Scavarelli, A., Arya, A., & Teather, R. J. (2021). Virtual reality and augmented reality in social learning spaces: a literature review. Virtual Reality, 25(1), 257–277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-020-00444-8

Takrouri, K., Causton, E., & Simpson, B. (2022). AR Technologies in Engineering Education: Applications, Potential, and Limitations. Digital, 2(2), 171–190. https://doi.org/10.3390/digital2020011

Wahyu, A., Rostini, D., & Holik, A. (2024). Learning management of machining engineering skill concentration in improving the competence of SMK students. At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(1), 299–307. https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v3i1.56

Yao, K. C., Chen, D. C., Pan, C. H., & Lin, C. L. (2024). The Development Trends of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machine Tool Technology. Mathematics, 12(13), 1–33. https://doi.org/10.3390/math12131923

Zulfiqar, F., Raza, R., Khan, M. O., Arif, M., Alvi, A., & Alam, T. (2023). Augmented Reality and its Applications in Education: A Systematic Survey. IEEE Access, 11(December), 143250–143271. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3331218

Downloads

Published

2025-07-27

How to Cite

Salim, R. A., Syahril, S., & Erizon, N. (2025). Enhancing vocational education through augmented reality: Android-based learning media for CNC TU-2A instruction in technical and vocational high schools. Journal of Engineering Researcher and Lecturer, 4(2), 103–114. https://doi.org/10.58712/jerel.v4i2.188

Issue

Section

Education/training for Future Engineers