EducationAR is an ongoing BBC research project evaluating the potential use of augmented reality (AR) technologies in the classroom of the future. We are in the early stages focusing on the
opportunities for AR and seeking feedback from both teachers and pupils. This project was featured on Futurelab's Innovations at BETT 2005 stand.
Outline and overview
Recent years have seen augmented reality (AR) technologies becoming more widely applied, specifically in the areas of medical visualisation, equipment maintenance/repair and military applications. The areas of entertainment and education have only just started to take advantage of the potential of AR technology, particularly the ability to physically manipulate virtual objects.
In 2003, the BBC began an evaluation of the potential of AR in future broadcast production, learning and online services. The work has produced a number of rapid prototypes, utilising the open source ARToolKit, ranging from broadcast work with BBC News to the popular science series 'Body Hits'. The BBC has also undertaken evaluation with a broad but limited cross-section of the public in its own usability lab and in the Science Museum, London. The main interest, however, for BETT 2005 is the development of exciting elements of AR learning content in BBC 21st Century Classroom and in trials in the Westminster City Learning Centre.
Our initial work found that AR provided a simple and intuitive interface that allowed the user to physically manipulate and visualise complex subjects in real-time. It had the potential to allow more than one user at the same time, which could be developed to encourage collaboration. AR resulted in more movement on the part of the user, allowing inspection of AR 'objects' in 3D rather than 2D. Our
conclusion was that AR had great potential as a learning tool for all pupils but for kinaesthetic-based learners in particular.
Going forward, we wanted to address these questions:
- does it help users understand complex 'stuff'?
- what is the impact on the teacher?
- does it stimulate the pupils?
150 pupils (aged 10) from five schools attended one half-day session per school. The pupils and their teachers were told they would be trying out some new technology but not what it was nor what the subject matter was - in this case we focused on teaching about the earth, the sun and the moon (ESM). Multiple types of data were captured and analysed by our partners at the IDEAs Lab, University of Sussex.
Project motivations
The studies suggested that AR could provide a robust and compelling resource for teaching ESM, complimentary to existing tools.
The teachers' and pupils' initial reaction upon seeing the AR was one of amazement. The pupils were enthusiastic, eg "woah! That's sooo cool!" and "that's amazing, how does it do that?" One teacher commented, "I saw one boy saying that he could see that it was the sun that was shining straight on [the earth]. He can see that picture in his head now rather than with a globe and a torch and having to work
out what stands for what".
Teachers learnt to adapt to the limits of the current AR interface with minimal practice, allowing easy manipulation and inspection of the 3D content. Preliminary results suggest that AR has the potential to produce comparable and in some cases improved test scores compared to those who experience web-based
instruction.
Technology used
The AR interface was a 'virtual mirror' mixing images of the real and virtual together in real-time. A classroom whiteboard was made to behave like a mirror, using AR tracking software and 3D virtual content. This interface was achieved by integrating ARToolKit software, a SmartBoard digital whiteboard system (including projector), a web camera (positioned near the whiteboard) connected to a standard Windows PC laptop, and virtual animated 3D content.
Partners
BBC Creative R&D is a small multidisciplinary unit researching the emerging relationships between users, content and technology in future multiplatform environments. It helps internal production units develop successful long-term innovation strategies and services.
This project has been developed in collaboration with ARToolworks Inc (Seattle, USA), which designs and builds augmented reality interface systems and provides interface design, implementation and evaluation services and products to educational, research and commercial groups around the world.
Other internal partners within the BBC have been R&D at Kingswood Warren, the 21st Century Classroom and the Innovation Unit, Factual & Learning.
We have also partnered with the IDEAs Lab at the University of Sussex, Westminster City Learning Centre, and six primary schools from Westminster LEA.
Contacts
Dr Adrian Woolard
R & D Executive, BBC Creative R&D, New Media & Technology
adrian.woolard@bbc.co.uk
020 7557 0141
Simon Seljeflot
Researcher, BBC Creative R&D, New Media & Technology
simon.seljeflot@bbc.co.uk
020 7557 0156
BBC Creative R&D
New Media & Technology
6th Floor NW Bush House, PO Box 76
Strand, London WC2B 4PH
Futurelab Innovations at BETT is sponsored by:
December 2004
Please note: this article is NOT covered by Futurelab's Open Access licence (see open access policy for further details).
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