On Location Learning: Authentic Applied Science with Networked Augmented Realities

Abstract

The learning of science can be made more like the practice of science through authentic simulated experiences. We have created a networked handheld Augmented Reality environment that combines the authentic role-playing of Augmented Realities and the underlying models of Participatory Simulations. This game, known as Outbreak @ The Institute, is played across a university campus where players take on the roles of doctors, medical technicians, and public health experts to contain a disease outbreak. Players can interact with virtual characters and employ virtual diagnostic tests and medicines. They are challenged to identify the source and prevent the spread of an infectious disease that can spread among real and/or virtual characters according to an underlying model. In this paper, we report on data from three high school classes who played the game. We investigate students' perception of the authenticity of the game in terms of their personal embodiment in the game, their experience playing different roles, and their understanding of the dynamic model underlying the game.

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“…Augmented Reality has been utilized to build up understudies' understanding of science, including natural science (Squire & Klopfer, 2007), and biomedical science (Yusoff et al, 2011). Gamification and pretend based AR has been connected to improve inspiration and a feeling of realness in restorative science (Rosenbaum et al, 2007).…”

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“…The game "Outbreak @ the Institute" [25] was played across a university campus where the players were trying to identify the source of an infectious disease and protect the virtual citizens from getting inflected. The players joined the game choosing among three different roles with different abilities which were Medical Doctors, Field Technicians and Public Health Officials.…”

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“…They feel highly engaged and identify with their roles in the game [7]. They are tightly associated with their tasks in the game [24][27]. They take an identity and want to work together [12].…”

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