Learning using augmented reality technology: Multiple means of interaction for teaching children the theory of colours

Abstract

Augmented Reality technology permits the concurrent interaction with the real environment and computer-generated virtual objects, thus making it an interesting technology for developing educational applications that allows manipulation and visualization. The work described extends the traditional concept of book with rendered graphics to help children understand fundamentals of the theory of colours. A three-dimensional virtual chameleon shows children how, from the combination of primary colours, it is possible to get secondary colours and viceversa. The chameleon responds to children's actions changing appearance according to the colours of the surroundings. Our tangible interface becomes an innovative teaching tool conceived for supporting school learning methods, where the child can learn by playing with the virtual character, turning over the pages of the book and manipulating the movable parts. The main scientific contribution of this work is in showing what the use of augmented reality-based interfaces can bring to improve existing learning methods. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.