Understanding the Conics through Augmented Reality

This paper discusses the production of a digital environment to foster the learning of conics through augmented reality. The name conic refers to curves obtained by the intersection of a plane with a right circular conical surface. The environment gives students the opportunity to interact with the cone and the plane as virtual objects in real time and real place. They can perceive their own creation of the different curves: parabola, circle, ellipse and hyperbola. A dynamical animation to visualize the focus and directrix of the parabola is presented by introducing the Dandelin Spheres into the virtual environment. Besides the motivational element it offers, the purpose is to promote an active learning through the affordances of augmented reality technology. Anxiety towards mathematics could be tackled if students comprehend the mathematical knowledge. The integration of digital technology in the learning process helps this strengthening the development of spatial ability in students.