Enriching Student Learning Experience using Augmented Reality and Smart Learning Objects

Physical laboratories in Electronic Engineering curriculum play a crucial role in enabling students to gain "hands-on" learning experience to get a feel for problem-solving. However, students often feel frustrated in these laboratories due to procedural difficulties and disconnects that exist between theory and practice. This impedes their learning and causes them to lose interest in the practical experiment. This research considers the approach of ubiquitous computing to address this issue by embedding computational capabilities into commonly used physical objects in electronics lab (e.g. breadboard) and making use of mobile Augmented Reality application to assist students. Two working prototypes have been proposed as a proof-of-concept. These are (i) an AR based lab manual and circuit building application, and, (ii) Intelligent Breadboard - which is capable of sensing errors made by students. It is posited that such systems can help reduce cognitive load and bridge gaps between theory and practical applications that students face in laboratories.