Ganga devi D
Assistant Professor,
Department of Computer Applications,
The Standard Fireworks Rajaratnam College For Women,
Sivakasi, India.
Abstract:
Traditional methods of Education are getting digitized in an increasing manner. Among the most significant digitalization trends, Augmented Reality (AR) takes a leading position. The AR is a combination of real and actual world with real-time interaction. It elevates the level of experiential learning for the students because it is affordable.
Marker-based AR may portray any lesson in 3D, allowing students to visualise distinct learning objects, interact with theories, and cope with knowledge. Augmented reality (AR) is the layering of digitally created content on top of a physical view using computer-generated pictures, videos, texts, and sounds. To start the 3D digital animations, a marker, which is a special visual item such as a distinctive sign or anything, and a camera are employed. To efficiently position the information, the system will calculate the orientation and position of the marker. Through this paper work, a small step is taken to teach the Tamil vowels and their pronunciations using the Augmented Reality. The augmented object is created using the MYWebAR.com platform.
Keywords: Augmented reality, Marker based AR, Tamil Vowels
Introduction
Traditional classroom based learning techniques largely rely on auditory and written learning styles. Whether in an educational or work related training space, this has significant and widely recognised limitations. Every learner is unique and this is reflected on how they process and retain information. And for many, providing engaging and interactive content offers a more inclusive and accessible learning experience, especially for those that are predisposed to a visual and kinaesthetic style of learning.
Immersive learning is a hugely effective way for many learners to develop their knowledge and skills. It provides artificial, digitally created content and environments that accurately replicates real life scenarios so that new skills and techniques can be learned and perfected. Learners aren’t simply passive spectators; they get to be active participants who directly influence outcomes. And what’s more, it offers a risk-free and safe space where learning can be repeated and success can be accurately measured. It’s practice-based learning where the sky is the limit.
The traditional classroom setting, when a teacher, lecturer, or trainer stands in front of the class, is becoming less and less common as society grows more and more reliant on technology. An educator’s ability to facilitate active, immersive learning in a participatory setting can greatly enhance a learner’s development by expanding their knowledge base and practical abilities.
Augmented Reality
In the upcoming years, the Augmented reality has the potential to replace paper textbooks, physical models, posters, and printed manuals. It provides portable and low-cost learning materials. It provides the best platform on language learning [1]. As a result, education becomes more transportable and accessible. It facilitates the pupils’ easy acquisition, processing, and retention of the material. AR also adds to the fun and engagement of learning itself [2]. As from my previous paper [3], the use cases of Augmented Reality in education reveals its authentic capabilities in learning methods.
Designing AR on Web
The Augmented Reality offers an enriched learning environment for the language learning process. Teaching native languages like Tamil to children can be challenging, and AR will be an effective technique to minimise boredom and detachment from the learning activities [4-8].
WebAR, known as the web-based Augmented Reality, is a web technology that allows for augmented reality functionality within a web browser[4]. This is a web application that support the creation of WebAR. It enables the creation of 3D assets and environments using a web framework that looks similar to HTML.
Methodology
The Augmented object creation involves three steps like Scene Creation, Animation and Scanning.
SCENE CREATION
In the MyWebAR.com platform, the AR objects can be added / deleted using the AR Content panel on the left side of the Editor. The web platform supports various types of augmented reality contents like Images, Videos, 3D Model, Text, Light Source, Green Screen Videos and Video Slider [4]. To add a new object, select the desirable object type and click on the Plus button next to its badge. By clicking the button captioned ‘Use this model button’, it’s getting added into the scene as shown in the figure 3.1.
Fig 4.1: Scene Creation
Among the various objects, the 3D Model plays the vital role in designing and creating the most engaging augmented reality teaching aids for education. No extra apps or coding experience required to add 3D model to the scene. In the dashboard, uploading of the 3D Models from the device is enough or can use the built-in library to insert 3D Models on the scene.
Fig 4.2: Uploading 3D Models
To add a 3D model to our augmented reality scene, we can upload a video file from our device (1), choose it from the previously uploaded files (2)or import it from the MyWebAR 3D library (3) shown in the figure 3.2.
It’s also easier to add green screen videos to your augmented reality scene. MyWebAR will automatically remove the green background (RGB code – 0, 255, 0) and make a video sprite with transparent background.
ANIMATION
3D animation is the process of creating three-dimensional models frame by frame. This is done by creating a model or character, rigging it with bones and joints, and then animating it to create the desired movement. CGI is the process of creating images or scenes using computer graphics.
MyWebAR supports animations embedded into GLB 3D models. There are multiple ways that can trigger the animation to play. The Marker Based Augmented Reality which is also known as Image Recognition [5]. A camera and a visual marker such as a QR code is used. The marker is sensed by the reader and then the output is given. It usually requires software in the form of an app, which enables users to scan markers from their device using its camera feed.
Augmented reality animation creates an image or 3D object that the software then blends into a real-life background. The combined image is viewed through the camera aperture of a cell phone. It also includes an overlay that allows us to undo and redo recent changes, save our AR experience without publishing it and switch between the tools to move, rotate or scale your object using our mouse in the 3D workspace.
MyWebAR supports various types of action in augmented reality:
- Play Animation Once the Scene Is Loaded
- Play Animation by tapping on the object
- Play Animation by tapping on the button
- Button and Actions
MyWebAR allows us to assign multiple interactive events to any object on the scene. Unlimited access to the library including over 500 educational 3D models that we can use to create our augmented reality materials for learning.
SCANNING
MyWebAR supports a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops. It is compatible with older devices and can run even on budget laptops and Chromebooks, making it the most affordable augmented reality solution. Display augmented reality content over printed or on-screen QR codes as shown in figure 3.3. With this type of augmented reality project a QR code is used to launch our experience and the same code also works as a marker the digital content is attached to in AR. By using the Mobile camera we can open and scan the QR code and start enjoying the experience.
Fig 4.3: Generating QR Code for Scanning
V. Conclusion
Augmented reality is the future of education, providing an experience-based learning environment for conceptual understanding. By 2025, Generation Alpha will be the world’s youngest generation who may have the habit of gaining knowledge through screen touching, doing, or experiencing. This generation will be the most educated and will profit the most from AR because they have never known a world without the internet and technology [9]. As a result, augmented reality would be the ideal technique to teach the Tamil language to future generations.
Acknowledgement
I am deeply grateful to my student V.Kiruthika (Currently doing MCA) for her exceptional dedication and insightful contributions to this work. Her unwavering commitment not only enriched the depth of using AR but also brought a fresh perspective to use AR as a Tamil learning approach, significantly enhancing the quality of this study.
Reference
1] Hsu, T.-C. (2017) Learning English with Augmented Reality: Do Learning Styles matter? Computers & Education, 106, 137-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.12.007.
2] Using Augmented Reality in Education: Key Concepts and Benefits, https://program-ace.com/blog/augmented-reality-in-education.
3] Ganga devi D, “Augmented Reality and its effect on education”, Proceedings of 3rd International Educational Conference 2022 on Teaching Technologies, Tamil Computing Journal, ISBN : 979-8-9856875-4-5 ISSN: 2767 – 05.
3] Riya Aggarwal, Abhishek Singhal, “Augmented Reality and its effect on our life”, 9th International Conference on Cloud Computing, Data Science & Engineering, pp.510-515, 2019.
4] Hussein HA, Ali MH, Al-Hashimi M, Majeed NT, Hameed QA, Ismael RD. The Effect of Web Augmented Reality on Primary Pupils’ Achievement in English. Applied System Innovation. 2023; 6(1):18. https://doi.org/10.3390/asi6010018.
5] Opatija, Croatia, Bojan Kraut and Jelena Jeknic, “Improving education experience with Augmented Reality”, MIPRO, pp.755-760, 2015.
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9] How Augmented Reality is changing Education? https://www.queppelin.com/ augmented-reality-is-changing-education/