An independent publishing company based in Tolpuddle has become the first publisher in the UK to incorporate augmented reality into its educational books.

PG Online, which has won Education Resource awards for its new range of revision guides, has incorporated the technology into its science and geography books.

Augmented reality is an interactive experience that enhances the real world with computer-generated perceptual information. 

The Dorset firm has also been nominated for other awards in two categories, including for Innovator of the Year, at the Bett Awards, which celebrate the inspiring creativity and innovation that can be found throughout technology for education.

Director Rob Heathcote said: “Augmented reality is a brilliant, alternative new tool to enrich the printed book and increase students’ engagement in learning and it’s free!”

PG Online was set up in 2013 to produce high quality educational resources and textbooks for GCSE and A-Level students across the UK and internationally.

It is based in the centre of Tolpuddle by the village green and has five full-time employees.

It set up the well received ClearRevise series, which supports students and parents directly with revision resources that put design on a par with content in terms of quality essentials in a revision guide.

Mr Heathcote said: "This has boosted approachability and motivation in students to read more pages at each sitting, and with the use of augmented reality in the books now, we are seeing a fantastic response from both students and parents."

PG Online has launched a 1,000 Lucky Learners campaign in which 1,000 free copies of their ClearRevise revision books will be given away to help support students in their revision this winter.

Mr Heathcote said: “We hope that we can help make a difference to learning, and ultimately grades, at a time when life is challenging for many families.

“We are thrilled to have been recently nominated in two categories at the prestigious Bett Awards, but in particular for Innovator of the Year.

“This is a wonderful acknowledgement that the addition of augmented reality into revision guides is providing the interactive, sensory experience that students are craving to help with their learning.”