Augmented reality technology enhanced science learning

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) is the technology which creates the interaction between the version generated by a computer and the real-world environment. The interaction includes the use of sound, visual element, or sensory stimuli, which gives the user a unique and immersive experience. Compared with other subjects of education, science has more interesting contents which are difficult to share with students. With many limitations, the science class in primary school always ends with videos or models which are based on students’ imagination. Regarding the ability of interaction with the virtual system, augmented reality is considered applying in science education and some of the developing applications are already tested in the primary school. Hence, this report also covers the development of an “QIMS” based application, which gives the idea of the science education improvement by using AR mediated technology. The application’s purpose is to develop an AR-integrated science trail for an inquiry-based curriculum, and students will learn science in an AR environment by using the “QIMS” framework. The educational “QIMS” system is about questioning, investigating, making and synthesising, which will be introduced later. In this case, a “QIMS” based AR integrated celery experiment is designed with the help of science teachers from the primary school. The whole process is about the system topic of the textbook science 5&6, and the learning objective is to identify and describe the water transport system by doing several experiments on the celery. Hence, this application called “Celery Lab” gives a new version of the traditional natural experiment lesson, which will be explained later in this report.