A Dynamic Blocks Platform Based on Projective Augmented Reality and Tangible Interfaces for Educational Activities

Abstract

This paper describes a dynamic blocks platform, called ARBlocks, which is based on projective augmented reality and tangible user interfaces aiming early childhood educational activities development. This tool was conceived specifically for children, applying design techniques to determinate the best shape, material and typography for young students. The content is displayed by projectors, which exhibit the required information only on the blocks surface using an automatic projector calibration technique. The blocks are tracked through a frame marker using the moving edges approach with multiple hypotheses to improve robustness. ARBlocks was evaluated from three different perspectives: computational, educational and user experience. Technical results show that the platform achieves a real time frame rate and an accurate projector calibration, as well as precisely displays information over the blocks. Additionally, in the educational evaluation the teachers interviewed asserted that the ARBlocks has a great potential and can be a very useful tool to be used in classrooms. Regarding the user experience, both teachers and children were excited in using this system continuously.