Introduction

Elevator Pitch:

Keeping children entertained in the classroom can be hard when teaching mathematics, luckily this AR game is here to solve that problem! Have kids learning their multiplication, addition, subtraction, and division in no time!

Full Playthrough:

Application Description

This AR application targets people trying to teach kids basic mathematics at a young age. It does this by giving each of the card’s images that in turn have 3D models that correlate to each image that are shown when put in front of a camera with the application running. There is a range of basic mathematic methods that a user can partake in to help increase their knowledge and learning in their desired area. The 3D models for each of the cards are to help increase engagement and make the activity feel more fun. It also allows the students to more easily count as they are able to count the four model donuts on the target image that represents the number four.

This type of AR application is important because it allows teachers to get kids more engaged with learning mathematics. In 2014, there was a study done where they explored the application of augmented reality in early childhood classrooms. They found that as soon as they introduced AR into the lesson, the students became excited and curious about the lesson which lead them to engage more. It also increased their socialness while learning as well as made them really happy and excited to learn. (Rasalingam, Muniandy and Rasalingam, 2014) 

In a study done in Hungary in 2011, some students were taught using AR compared to a control group that was taught via a more standard classroom approach. They found that the students that used AR did better in a number of tasks compared to the control group. In the table below, you can see the average of how many of the students were correct out of the group when given questions related to the learning material. (Pasareti, O. et al., 2011)

(Pasareti, O. et al., 2011)

All of these factors combine to help the user of AR learning applications increase their knowledge and engagement in learning area's more. This will result in the user more easily storing knowledge while doing it in a way that the user finds more fun than a typical classroom approach.

Interaction Design

There are five interactions in the game, the menu, the image targets, the hint button, the clear button, the back button, and finally the reset 3D button. These five interactions are crucial for the usability, functionality, and to help the user modify the application.

The main menu is needed because it allows the user to customise their experience and what they want to learn. It has the options of either multiplication, addition, subtraction, and division. This means if someone is having trouble with subtraction, they have the ability to just focus on that area. The menu also has some information and instruction in case it is the users first time using the application.

The hint button is important because it allows the user to receive help if they are struggling with a question. Instead of being frustrated they have the ability to answer the first part of the question so they can keep moving through the questions and getting better.

The clear button allows a user to reset the question so if they have already entered one of the questions, they have the ability to retry from the start. This means the user doesn’t have to display another card to reset the question which would be very frustrating in the moment and also would build frustrating the more they had to do it.

The back button is essential for if the user wants to change what type of mathematical operation they are doing. This further allows them to customise their experience and expand the types of math practice they can take part in without having to restart the game, which a user would find very annoying.

Lastly, the 3D reset button. This button is important for when a 3D model fails to disappear as a card is removed. If you find the 3D model is still floating around the camera and won't go away, click the button and Vuforia will reset and the 3D model will disappear allowing you to display a different image target.

Technical Development

Interface Technology: AR - Webcam

Interactions:

• To enter a number and display the models for a image target, first select your desired answer and then display the image target in some form via a method such as phone, printed etc. Make sure the number on it is visible to the webcam.
• Once the application is loaded, you will be presented with the menu screen. On there will be multiplication, addition, subtraction, and division. Selecting one of the buttons will load the equation with that type of math operation. Use the mouse to select what math type you want.
• To use the hint button, hover the mouse over it and click.
• To use the clear button, hover the mouse over it and click.
• To use the back button, hover the mouse over it and click.
• To use the 3D reset button, wait for a 3D model to not go away. Once that happens, hover the mouse over the button and click.

3D Models

The gold trophy was added to correlate to the trophy on the number 1 image target.

The PlayStation controller was added to correlate to the controller on the number 2 image target.

Saturn was added to correlate to the planet on the number 3 image target.

The pink donut was added to correlate to the donut on the number 4 image target.

The fighter jet was added to correlate to the fighter jet on the number 5 image target.

The fish was added to correlate to the fish on the number 6 image target.

The mushroom was added to correlate to the mushroom on the number 7 image target.

The low poly bee was added to correlate to the bee on the number 8 image target.

The red kite was added to correlate to the kite on the number 9 image target.

The yellow pencil was added to correlate to the pencil on the number 10 image target.

References

Pasareti, O. et al. (2011) Augmented Reality in education. [online] Available at: <https://people.inf.elte.hu/szlavi/InfoDidact11/Manuscripts/PO_HH_MT_JA_MI_TSzM.pdf>. [Accessed 21/09/2022]

Rasalingam, R., Muniandy, B. and Rasalingam, R., 2014. Exploring the Application of Augmented Reality Technology in Early Childhood Classroom in Malaysia. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSRJRME), 4(5), pp.33-40. [online] Available at: <http://alivestudiosco.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Augmented-Reality-Technology-in-Early-Childhood-Classroom.pdf>. [Accessed 21/09/2022]

Images

Kousoulas, Kiyas (2022) 0 to 10 Flash Card Set. [online] Available at: <https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1295712744/0-to-10-flash-card-set?click_key=612db4773b660fcc50ea0eb846a27f4da4ea3010%3A1295712744&click_sum=bdb3dc01&ref=shop_home_active_1> [Accessed 15/09/2022]

Engine

Vuforia (2022) Vuforia Engine. [online] Available at: < https://developer.vuforia.com/downloads/sdk> [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Trophy

Monteiro, Rafael (2017) Champion Cup Trophy. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/champion-cup-trophy-b2819a9798354b2fb95c14cacde68db9>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Controller

Albertduranll (2019) PS4 Controller. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/ps4-controller-c10e207b60ec451fabde91c17d4cb2ac>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Saturn

Akshat (2020) Saturn. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/saturn-8fb67d3defd74aaa880df3a08317e641>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Donut

Skilly, Morgan (2020) Pink Donut. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/pink-donut-3535fb4ac14e42da8ac71ee05a594167>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Fighter jet

Iedalton (2019) F-16 Fighter Jet. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/f-16-fighter-jet-d84491f443384ee488593cc6f0f0839e>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Fish

Yimit (2019) Fish. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/fish-c4328d6c1ae445198abc1a3d4c1e2570>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Mushroom

Hsu, Timothy (2018) Fly Agaric Mushroom. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/fly-agaric-mushroom-d6c3876f091b4de49a38553a177bab0f>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Bee

EsiHere (2022) Bee (Low Poly). [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/bee-low-poly-0416f30815d6422791746b379f802405>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Kite

Joawnpaard (2022) Kite. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/kite-629bd0dcdce5411b846615fe56145b03>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]

Pencil

Shedmon (2019) Pencil. [online] Available at: < https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/pencil-9e0dba29de734ac4b20060ec873dc36c>. [Accessed 12/09/2022]