Foundations of AR from Coursera

In this course, you will learn the basics of augmented reality (AR). You will focus on where AR fits in the XR spectrum, how AR is used, what AR can do today—and in the future—and the various technologies used for building such experiences. You will also learn about computer vision in AR, the software development lifecycle, and careers in AR development.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

- Explain how AR fits into the XR spectrum.

- Distinguish between AR in social media (Meta Spark), AR on a browser (web AR), and AR in a mobile app (Unity AR).

- Describe AR’s defining characteristics, affordances, and capabilities.

- Explain how computer vision relates to AR development.

- Give an overview of the AR software development lifecycle and production.

- Describe how AR is used in the marketing, education, gaming and entertainment industries.

To be successful in this course, experience with object oriented programming and basic web development is needed. JavaScript is a plus but not required.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to AR

What is AR? What value does it bring to people? Why are developers drawn to it? In this module, you'll answer these questions, as well as learn about the XR spectrum, tools used to develop AR, computer vision, and hear about career paths for AR developers.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops a foundation in the fundamentals of XR and AR, which is a core skill for XR developers

Provides a multi-modal approach with videos, readings, and discussions

Taught by Meta Staff, who are recognized for their work in the field of AR

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials

Builds a strong foundation in computer vision that is useful in the AR field

Examines the use of AR in industries that are highly relevant to learners

Reviews summary

Conceptual ar overview, lacking practical depth

According to students, 'Foundations of AR' provides a high-level conceptual overview of augmented reality, covering the XR spectrum and various industry applications. However, the course is largely negatively received due to a significant lack of practical application, with many learners expecting more hands-on coding or project work. Recent reviews consistently highlight the outdated nature of the content, given the rapid evolution of AR technology. Additionally, some find the lectures to be dry and unengaging, often feeling like a promotional tool for Meta products rather than a neutral educational resource. While it may serve as a very first introduction for absolute beginners, it fails to provide a true foundation for AR development.

Provides a basic introduction to AR concepts, the XR spectrum, and industry applications.

"For someone completely unfamiliar with AR, this course provides a basic understanding of what AR is."

"I appreciated the initial introduction to the XR spectrum and basic concepts; it clarifies basic definitions."

"It's a quick way to get a general sense of the field, though it won't teach you to code."

"A good conceptual overview for non-developers or managers who want to understand AR at a high level."

Some learners felt the course served more as an advertisement for Meta products.

"This course feels like a long advertisement for Meta products rather than a neutral educational experience."

"Absolutely useless for anyone looking to get into AR development. It's a marketing brochure, not a course."

Reviewers found the lecture delivery dry and unengaging, often just reading slides.

"I found the lectures to be extremely dry and unengaging."

"The instructor simply reads off slides, and there's very little interaction or explanation beyond the basics."

"It felt like a collection of ideas rather than a cohesive learning path."

Many sections are outdated, and the overall content depth is considered insufficient.

"It's already outdated in many sections given how fast AR evolves."

"The content is superficial and lacks depth, especially in practical application or coding examples."

"Much of the technology discussed seems to have moved on since this course was published."

"This course is good for absolute beginners who know nothing about AR and just want a glossary of terms."

The course offers theory but lacks hands-on projects or coding for development skills.

"I finished feeling I knew *about* AR, but not *how to build* anything."

"I expected hands-on, but got a lot of high-level concepts that I could have found in a blog post."

"This course doesn't prepare you for actual AR development; there's no real project work to solidify understanding."

"It's more of an overview than a true foundation for development, lacking practical exercises."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of AR with these activities:

Create an AR Experience Using Meta Spark

Show steps

Meta Spark is a powerful AR development platform. This activity will give you hands-on experience creating an AR experience using Meta Spark.

Browse courses on Meta Spark

Show steps

Create a new Meta Spark project.
Add a 3D object to your project.
Add interactivity to your object.
Publish your AR experience.

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of AR will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

AR Developer

AR Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing AR applications. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become an AR Developer. You will learn about the different types of AR, the hardware and software used to develop AR applications, and the software development lifecycle for AR.

See salaries and explore the career path for AR Developer

AR Content Creator

AR Content Creators are responsible for creating the content that is used in AR applications. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become an AR Content Creator. You will learn about the different types of AR content, the tools used to create AR content, and the best practices for creating AR content.

See salaries and explore the career path for AR Content Creator

UX Designer

UX Designers are responsible for designing the user experience for AR applications. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become a UX Designer for AR. You will learn about the principles of UX design, the different types of AR applications, and the best practices for designing AR applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Computer Vision Engineer

Computer Vision Engineers develop and implement computer vision systems that enable machines to see and understand the world around them. This course can help you develop the skills needed to build computer vision systems for AR applications. You will learn about the principles of computer vision, image processing techniques, and machine learning algorithms used in AR.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Vision Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of AR products. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become a Product Manager for AR. You will learn about the product development lifecycle, the different types of AR products, and the best practices for managing AR products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for AR products. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become a Marketing Manager for AR. You will learn about the different types of AR marketing campaigns, the best practices for marketing AR products, and the different channels used to market AR products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing the business needs of AR products and services. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become a Business Analyst for AR. You will learn about the different types of AR products and services, the best practices for analyzing the business needs of AR products and services, and the different tools and techniques used to analyze the business needs of AR products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for selling AR products and services. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become a Sales Manager for AR. You will learn about the different types of AR products and services, the best practices for selling AR products and services, and the different sales channels used to sell AR products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for managing the development and implementation of AR projects. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become a Project Manager for AR. You will learn about the different types of AR projects, the best practices for managing AR projects, and the different tools and techniques used to manage AR projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating documentation for AR products and services. This course can help you develop the skills needed to become a Technical Writer for AR. You will learn about the different types of AR documentation, the best practices for writing AR documentation, and the different tools and techniques used to write AR documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to develop AR applications. You will learn about the different types of AR applications, the hardware and software used to develop AR applications, and the software development lifecycle for AR.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to work with AR data. You will learn about the different types of AR data, the tools and techniques used to collect and analyze AR data, and the best practices for interpreting AR data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers are responsible for developing and implementing machine learning models. This course may be useful for Machine Learning Engineers who want to develop AR applications. You will learn about the different types of AR applications, the machine learning algorithms used in AR, and the best practices for developing AR applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing electrical systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers who want to work with AR hardware. You will learn about the different types of AR hardware, the electrical systems used in AR, and the best practices for designing and developing AR hardware.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers who want to work with AR hardware. You will learn about the different types of AR hardware, the mechanical systems used in AR, and the best practices for designing and developing AR hardware.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Foundations of AR

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Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Conceptual ar overview, lacking practical depth

Activities

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