Using augmented reality technologies to create interactive educational digital content

The article reveals the possibilities of using augmented reality technologies to create interactive educational digital content. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and the needs of modern education, the need to provide the educational process with interactive digital content that can be used in various forms of organizing learning has been established. Such needs can be met through the introduction of immersive technologies into the educational process. In this context, augmented reality technologies deserve special attention, as they contribute to the development of students’ critical thinking, creativity, and cooperation skills, and help to explain abstract concepts easily. The need to select means of creating digital interactive content based on AR applications has been established, taking into account the various capabilities of educational institutions to provide them with technical and software tools. Based on the results of expert evaluation of the most popular applications, we have established that the Merge Cube software is appropriate for implementation in the educational process today, according to the most important criteria. The technology of using the Merge Cube to create interactive educational content has been disclosed. The significant advantages of this software are: a large library of interactive objects and tasks; playback of video, text, animation, and audio information; the ability to download original 3D models and create collections; integration of Merge Cube with virtual reality glasses. A pedagogical experiment was conducted, which allowed us to ascertain the pedagogical feasibility of using Merge Cube to create interactive educational digital content. The results of the pedagogical study prove that the use of the Merge Cube platform contributes to increasing cognitive interest and ensures the implementation of flexible, personalized, and interactive learning.