ABSTRACT Background Inquiry‐based learning (IbL) has significantly contributed to science education, and this impact can be enhanced with technology. Augmented Reality (AR) offers 3D visualisation and interactive experiences, whereas Video‐based Learning (VbL) provides narratives with visual and audio support. Both methods aid students in exploring, understanding and boosting their motivation to learn science (MtLS). Objectives This study examines the effect of AR and VbL within an IbL environment on students' MtLS and academic achievement. Methods A mixed‐method research design was used, with a quasi‐experimental approach for the quantitative aspect and a multiple case study for the qualitative part. Participants included two experimental groups and a control group. Experiment 1 (25 participants) received AR and IbL, Experiment 2 (26 participants) received VbL and IbL and the control group (25 participants) received only IbL instruction. Data were collected using academic achievement tests, MtLS scales and semi‐structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed via ANCOVA using SPSS, whereas qualitative data underwent content analysis. Results and Conclusions Results indicated that AR technology in the IbL environment was more effective than VbL in enhancing academic achievement and MtLS. The VbL group also performed better than the IbL‐only group. With regard to the MtLS subfactors, no significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of motivation for participation. However, Experiment‐1 demonstrated significant improvement in motivation for conducting research and motivation for collaboration, compared to Experiment‐2 and the control group. Experiment 2 showed significant results compared to the control group. Experiment‐1 demonstrated significant improvement in motivation for performance and motivation for communication compared to the control group. Although Experiment‐1 yielded higher results than Experiment‐2, this difference was not significant. Experiment 2 and the control group demonstrate notable parallels. The findings of this study indicate that AR effectively supports academic achievement and MtLS in an IbL environment. Consequently, the utilisation of AR is advocated for middle school students engaged in the study of vertebrates.
Arıcı et al. (2025) studied this question.