Abstract

The Augmented Reality Sandbox (AR-Sandbox) offers an enriched pedagogical experience in geographical education. This study aims to showcase the AR-Sandbox as a didactic tool for modeling real and imaginary territories in the Watershed Management course within the Geography program at the University of Concepci & oacute;n, Chile. The methodological design took into account the students' work throughout the semester on some of the country's watersheds, using QGIS and ArcGIS, which were then modelled in the AR-Sandbox. To ascertain their perceptions following the experience, a brief online survey was conducted. Results revealed that over 69% of respondents reported improved comprehension of course content through this 3D learning resource compared to traditional 2D maps. These findings underscore the significance of incorporating diverse territorial modeling formats in geography education. Additionally, the AR-Sandbox was recognized for its benefits in fostering real-time teamwork and its potential application in advanced courses such as geomorphology and socio-natural risk analysis. Respondents further suggested its use in elective courses, interdisciplinary applications, and undergraduate thesis projects.