BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality Experiences
State-of-the-art tools for creating augmented reality (AR) applications often depend on a specific programming language and the deployed target devices. The typing syntax of a program is error-prone, and device dependency makes it difficult to share newly created AR applications. This paper presents...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Electronics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/9/8/1205 |
| _version_ | 1797561264148316160 |
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| author | Vinh T. Nguyen Kwanghee Jung Tommy Dang |
| author_facet | Vinh T. Nguyen Kwanghee Jung Tommy Dang |
| author_sort | Vinh T. Nguyen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | State-of-the-art tools for creating augmented reality (AR) applications often depend on a specific programming language and the deployed target devices. The typing syntax of a program is error-prone, and device dependency makes it difficult to share newly created AR applications. This paper presents BlocklyAR, a novel web-based visual programming interface for creating and generating an AR application. This tool is intended for non-programmers (young learners and enthusiasts) who are interested in making an AR application. The goals of this tool are: (1) to help young learners and enthusiasts express their programming ideas without memorizing syntax, (2) to enable users to perceive their expressions, (3) to enable learners to generate an AR application with minimal effort, and (4) to support users by allowing them to share newly created AR applications with others. BlocklyAR uses Blockly for creating a palette of commands and AR.js for transcribing commands into AR experience. The applicability of BlocklyAR was demonstrated through a use case where an existing AR application was recreated by using our tool. The result showed that our tool could yield an equivalent product. We evaluated the visual tool with the help of 66 users to gather perspectives on the specific benefits of employing BlocklyAR in producing an AR application. The technology acceptance model was adapted to assess an individual’s acceptance of information technology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:11:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eb42293fc517421689ee91d9882f6579 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-9292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:11:33Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Electronics |
| spelling | doaj.art-eb42293fc517421689ee91d9882f65792023-11-20T08:05:14ZengMDPI AGElectronics2079-92922020-07-0198120510.3390/electronics9081205BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality ExperiencesVinh T. Nguyen0Kwanghee Jung1Tommy Dang2Department of Computer Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Educational Psychology and Leadership, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Computer Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USAState-of-the-art tools for creating augmented reality (AR) applications often depend on a specific programming language and the deployed target devices. The typing syntax of a program is error-prone, and device dependency makes it difficult to share newly created AR applications. This paper presents BlocklyAR, a novel web-based visual programming interface for creating and generating an AR application. This tool is intended for non-programmers (young learners and enthusiasts) who are interested in making an AR application. The goals of this tool are: (1) to help young learners and enthusiasts express their programming ideas without memorizing syntax, (2) to enable users to perceive their expressions, (3) to enable learners to generate an AR application with minimal effort, and (4) to support users by allowing them to share newly created AR applications with others. BlocklyAR uses Blockly for creating a palette of commands and AR.js for transcribing commands into AR experience. The applicability of BlocklyAR was demonstrated through a use case where an existing AR application was recreated by using our tool. The result showed that our tool could yield an equivalent product. We evaluated the visual tool with the help of 66 users to gather perspectives on the specific benefits of employing BlocklyAR in producing an AR application. The technology acceptance model was adapted to assess an individual’s acceptance of information technology.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/9/8/1205A-FrameBlocklyaugmented realitystorytellingvisual programming interfaceSTEM/CS education |
| spellingShingle | Vinh T. Nguyen Kwanghee Jung Tommy Dang BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality Experiences Electronics A-Frame Blockly augmented reality storytelling visual programming interface STEM/CS education |
| title | BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality Experiences |
| title_full | BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality Experiences |
| title_fullStr | BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality Experiences |
| title_full_unstemmed | BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality Experiences |
| title_short | BlocklyAR: A Visual Programming Interface for Creating Augmented Reality Experiences |
| title_sort | blocklyar a visual programming interface for creating augmented reality experiences |
| topic | A-Frame Blockly augmented reality storytelling visual programming interface STEM/CS education |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/9/8/1205 |
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