Ylä-Savo Vocational College
The Ylä-Savo Vocational College (YSAO) is an active education provider that offers vocational education and training, additional training and apprenticeship training that also participates in development projects in its region. Nearly 4,000 students study and over 200 employees work at YSAO. The college has six learning areas and seven education units.
Bringing AR-based learning into earthmoving training
In the Infra-ala digittää project led by YSAO, the goal was to enhance learning environments using Augmented Reality (AR). The aim of the excavator learning environment was to develop new, practical digital teaching and learning methods for conducting excavator pre-checks. Additionally, the goal was to support students’ personal learning paths and individual progress.
The software needed to be scalable and support further development. After the initial implementation focused on excavators, the solution was expanded into a multidisciplinary learning system. From the beginning, the solution had to be applicable across different fields and the chosen technologies had to support learning in the best possible way.
AR and 3D brought into the learning journey
Subcomponents of the excavator learning environment
A virtual environment supporting independent learning, where students can study excavator operations through 3D models on desktop and mobile web browsers.
An AR-based personal learning app that can be downloaded for free from app stores.
- Students log in using their own credentials.
- The app allows students to test their skills in identifying excavator components and performing pre-checks.
- The app fetches the locations of AR markers assigned to the actual machine from the server. These markers are also displayed in the student’s app, and tapping them reveals the AR content.
Allows teachers to track student performance in the institution’s own systems and enables future development.
From excavator to cross-disciplinary system
While developing the excavator learning environment, it became clear that a follow-up project was needed: inspired by the success of the digital learning environment, our client wanted a broader, scalable solution suitable for various fields. YSAO aimed to enable teachers to create 3D and AR learning materials from the subjects of their choice.
A truly cross-disciplinary learning platform required further development of the initial solution. This included expanding the custom content management system and equipping teachers with a 3D editor. An easy-to-use measuring app was also needed for creating AR markers for new materials.
Tools for teachers to create interactive learning content
The first phase of the follow-up project involved adapting the learning environment from an excavator to a tractor
A custom web application for 3D content viewing
A mobile learning app for Android using AR
Integrations and APIs to the client’s learning platform
After the successful tractor implementation, the focus shifted to expanding content management for broader use. The system was integrated with YSAO’s authentication system and the It’s Learning platform for tracking student progress.
- Custom web app for backend content management
- Built-in 3D editor for teachers to produce digital content
- Measuring app for teachers to create AR materials
- Integration with YSAO’s authentication system and It’s Learning
- Updates and enhancements to the student mobile app
We implemented the content management system as a customized web application tailored to YSAO’s needs. In this system, teachers can independently create digital 3D and AR learning environments using the 3D editor developed during the project. We also built a companion measurement app for mobile devices, which allows teachers to place AR markers into teaching content.
We also built a companion measurement app for mobile devices, which allows teachers to place AR markers into teaching content.
In practice, the measurement app lets teachers “measure” by assigning AR markers, created in the content management system, to physical real-world objects. These markers can be linked to digital learning content such as images, audio, videos, PDF documents, or multiple-choice quizzes. The teacher-created materials can be attached to any real-life object or device, offering students an illustrative, enriched learning experience—regardless of subject or context.
Within their own personal 3D and AR environments, students access content by scanning AR markers. For example, when identifying parts or performing pre-use checks, they can use the mobile app to interact with the equipment, study the associated materials, and complete a multiple-choice test. The results are automatically saved to the It’s Learning platform, where teachers can track student progress.
To support multiple separate learning environments, we also made the necessary updates and enhancements to the student mobile app to accommodate the expanded system and content management features. The student app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and is available in the App Store and Google Play.
In component identification and pre-use inspections, students can explore physical objects with the AR mobile app, study the content that opens from the markers, and take related tests.
To support multiple separate learning environments, we also made the necessary updates and enhancements to the student mobile app to accommodate the expanded system and content management features. The student app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and is available in the App Store and Google Play.
Digital learning made visual, practical, and scalable
The modern learning environment and gamified features diversify the student experience and make learning more engaging and impactful. For example, learning about excavator parts with a 3D model is much more illustrative than traditional methods.
Using the AR app in the learning path helps students grasp practical tasks, and the comprehensive learning materials support different learner types. Mobile-friendly materials are easy to use in real-life exercises, letting students learn right at the machines.
Thanks to the expanded learning system, teachers can now create digital teaching modules and custom content whenever needed. The web application, tailored to YSAO’s needs, supports 3D uploads, environment manipulation, and AR content creation using built-in tools—without needing programming skills.
Versatile content and gamified learning support student progress, while the intuitive backend system helps teachers monitor group performance. A well-designed, visual learning environment simplifies practical learning tasks and enables teachers to fully leverage the benefits of digital and enriched learning in their everyday teaching.
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