Abstract
The paradigm shift to using eLearning has become one of the major objectives in the CUHK Academic Development Proposal (ADP) 2016-19. The use of eLearning no longer merely refers to the uploading / downloading of e-courseware or the use of classroom-response system (i.e., clicker). Application of eLearning has already been advanced to the production of interactive courseware or animation, micro-modules, and utilization of flipped-classroom. Recent development in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) provides an alternative visual and practical learning experience and environment to enhance learning effectiveness.
The Centre of eLearning Innovation and Technology (ELITE) has been established to provide support to teachers who adopt eLearning strategies and produce online courseware across the eight faculties. Capitalising on the infra-structure of ELITE, it is imperative that support to develop courseware for AR and VR environments be enhanced. The proposed project aims at achieving the following objectives:
- provide more diverse technological and pedagogical support to teachers in the production of courseware for the AR/VR learning environments;
- enhance the capacity of ELITE in terms of manpower and both hardware and software equipment of AR/VR technology;
- provide professional development opportunities and disseminate the most up-to-date technical knowledge to teachers; and
- better equip the AR/VR Corner in ELITE for technological development and sample demonstration.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
- enhance the capacity of Centre for eLearning Innovation and Technology (ELITE) to provide more diverse technical and pedagogical support to teachers and departments;
- provide professional development to media production team via workshops and updated information;
- sustain current projects with School of Life Sciences and improve the usage of AR/VR or mixed reality, and explore other potential projects; and
- organize seminars and explore potential projects in applying AR/VR.
Activities, process and outcomes
- Attending seminars and workshops on application of AR/VR by media production team to incorporate the technology into courseware production;
- Sourcing and acquiring appropriate devices and software;
- Setting up the AR/VR Corner with the support of Information Technology Services Centre for demonstration and technology development; and
- Introducing to teachers the features and benefits of using AR/VR in their course design.
Deliverables and evaluation
- Two AR modules for the School of Life Science in which eighteen AR images were produced and used in-class. Positive student feedback was received.
- Growing interest in AR technology – more requests for support on AR/VR courseware development
- The production of four VR projects in progress
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
- Experience sharing and hands-on practice on using AR/VR as a teaching tool at AR/VR seminar attended by over a hundred teachers from different universities
- Organisation of another AR/VR seminar in progress
