AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine Understanding
Students in the twenty-first century are accustomed to using technology in all aspects of their lives and have never known a world without it; the classroom is no exception. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that bridges the virtual and physical worlds to make learning more engaging and enjoyab...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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Series: | Education Sciences |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/8/555 |
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author | Muhammad Nadeem Mayank Lal Jiaming Cen Mohammad Sharsheer |
author_facet | Muhammad Nadeem Mayank Lal Jiaming Cen Mohammad Sharsheer |
author_sort | Muhammad Nadeem |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Students in the twenty-first century are accustomed to using technology in all aspects of their lives and have never known a world without it; the classroom is no exception. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that bridges the virtual and physical worlds to make learning more engaging and enjoyable. In this paper, we present a mobile application aimed at novice learners that makes use of technology for the teaching and learning of computer system engineering concepts. Currently, students typically learn about finite-state machine (FSM) concepts from lectures, tutorials, and practical hands-on experience combined with commercial timing simulation tools. We aimed to enhance these traditional, lecture-based instruction and information delivery methods. We developed an AR-based FSM visualization tool called AR4FSM to help students more easily grasp concepts through immersion and natural interaction with an FSM. We used a blend of multimedia information, such as text, images, sound, and animations superimposed on real-world-state machine diagrams, presenting the information in an interactive and compelling way. An experiment with 60 students showed that the app was perceived positively by the students and helped to deliver FSM-related concepts in a way that was easier to understand than traditional, lecture-based teaching methods. This instruction methodology not only engaged the students but also motivated them to learn the material. The findings of this study have inspired us to use this application to teach FSM topics in the classroom. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:58:47Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-ddea8033640d461b80353ac25002bf90 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2227-7102 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:58:47Z |
publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Education Sciences |
spelling | doaj.art-ddea8033640d461b80353ac25002bf902023-12-01T23:37:57ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022022-08-0112855510.3390/educsci12080555AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine UnderstandingMuhammad Nadeem0Mayank Lal1Jiaming Cen2Mohammad Sharsheer3College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitDepartment of Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New ZealandDepartment of Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New ZealandCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitStudents in the twenty-first century are accustomed to using technology in all aspects of their lives and have never known a world without it; the classroom is no exception. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that bridges the virtual and physical worlds to make learning more engaging and enjoyable. In this paper, we present a mobile application aimed at novice learners that makes use of technology for the teaching and learning of computer system engineering concepts. Currently, students typically learn about finite-state machine (FSM) concepts from lectures, tutorials, and practical hands-on experience combined with commercial timing simulation tools. We aimed to enhance these traditional, lecture-based instruction and information delivery methods. We developed an AR-based FSM visualization tool called AR4FSM to help students more easily grasp concepts through immersion and natural interaction with an FSM. We used a blend of multimedia information, such as text, images, sound, and animations superimposed on real-world-state machine diagrams, presenting the information in an interactive and compelling way. An experiment with 60 students showed that the app was perceived positively by the students and helped to deliver FSM-related concepts in a way that was easier to understand than traditional, lecture-based teaching methods. This instruction methodology not only engaged the students but also motivated them to learn the material. The findings of this study have inspired us to use this application to teach FSM topics in the classroom.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/8/555active learningaugmented realityeducational technologyengagementfinite-state machineinstruction methods |
spellingShingle | Muhammad Nadeem Mayank Lal Jiaming Cen Mohammad Sharsheer AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine Understanding Education Sciences active learning augmented reality educational technology engagement finite-state machine instruction methods |
title | AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine Understanding |
title_full | AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine Understanding |
title_fullStr | AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine Understanding |
title_full_unstemmed | AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine Understanding |
title_short | AR4FSM: Mobile Augmented Reality Application in Engineering Education for Finite-State Machine Understanding |
title_sort | ar4fsm mobile augmented reality application in engineering education for finite state machine understanding |
topic | active learning augmented reality educational technology engagement finite-state machine instruction methods |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/8/555 |
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