A Dynamic Blocks Platform Based on Projective Augmented Reality and Tangible Interfaces for Educational Activities

Abstract

This paper describes a dynamic blocks platform, called ARBlocks, which is based on projective augmented reality and tangible user interfaces aiming early childhood educational activities development. This tool was conceived specifically for children, applying design techniques to determinate the best shape, material and typography for young students. The content is displayed by projectors, which exhibit the required information only on the blocks surface using an automatic projector calibration technique. The blocks are tracked through a frame marker using the moving edges approach with multiple hypotheses to improve robustness. ARBlocks was evaluated from three different perspectives: computational, educational and user experience. Technical results show that the platform achieves a real time frame rate and an accurate projector calibration, as well as precisely displays information over the blocks. Additionally, in the educational evaluation the teachers interviewed asserted that the ARBlocks has a great potential and can be a very useful tool to be used in classrooms. Regarding the user experience, both teachers and children were excited in using this system continuously.

Banda da Floresta

“…A técnica de realidade aumentada [Silva, Oliveira, & Giraldi, 2003] permite adicionar ao livro físico recursos multimídia que propiciam um poderoso tipo de interação [Matcha, Rohaya, & Rambli, 2012;R. A. Roberto, D. Q. d. Freitas, 2013].…”

“…Nosso objetivo é criar uma forma de interatividade diferente entre crianças, pais, brinquedos e livros tradicionais, tornando-os assim, mais atraentes para os nativos digitais. Esta interação só é possível utilizando os novos recursos tecnológicos disponíveis.A técnica de realidade aumentada [Silva, Oliveira, & Giraldi, 2003] permite adicionar ao livro físico recursos multimídia que propiciam um poderoso tipo de interação [Matcha, Rohaya, & Rambli, 2012;R. A. Roberto, D. Q. d. Freitas, 2013].…”

AR Jigsaw Puzzle: Potencialidades de Uso da Realidade Aumentada no Ensino de Geografia

“…Esta aplicação consiste num livro aparentemente comum, mas que possui conteúdo aumentado, facilitando assim a visualização de conteúdos complexos e abstratos. Para o ensino infantil, foi desenvolvido o ARBlocks [Roberto et al 2013], que através de RA projetiva permite a visualização de conteúdo interativo em pequenos blocos manipuláveis. Para o ensino médio, temos o Química Aumentada [Almgren et al 2005], que permite a visualização e manipulação de elementos químicos pelo aluno.…”

KinardCar: Auxiliary Game in Formation of Young Drivers, Utilizing Kinect and Arduino Integration

“…References [4], [8] and [9] show how augmented reality games aids in learning, reporting some examples of games. The works [10], [11], [12] and [13] talks about Serious Games and Virtual Reality, which are actually games aiming to solve any problems within society, generating learning in a funnier manner.…”

“…Various types of interaction techniques have been used, including tracking using markers [4] and data gloves [5], which may restrict user movement. Due to the need for mobility, using natural interaction is a key point to improve the entire process of user involvement within the system.…”