Special Collections Using Augmented Reality to Enhance Learning and Teaching (SCARLET)Matthew Ramirez

ELI 2012 Annual Meeting

Aims»Use AR to add value to the learner experience.»Produce a methodology that other Special Collections libraries can follow, making these resources accessible for research, teaching and learning.

Challenges and considerations»Students must consult rare books within the controlled conditions of library study rooms.»The objects are isolated from the secondary, supporting materials and the growing mass of related digital assets.»What application does AR have to the wider audience?»How does use of AR enhance Learning & Teaching?»Differentiation and blended learning (Jo to write)

Project Overview

» Tuition Fees increased in most UK universities to £9000 per year.

» Students require more demonstrative input and contact time from academics.

» Universities have to offer more supported e-learning materials supplementing contact time.

» Students expect increased differentiation in learning styles in contrast to traditional didactic approach.

Educational Context in the UK

» SCARLET is unique in that it has a multi-disciplinary team working to achieve aims with a focus on student learning

Stakeholder Roles

MimasProject Management and AR technology

John Rylands LibraryAccess and technical integration with digitised content and special collections

AcademicsAward winning academics from Humanities faculty to develop and deliver content

MimasTo evaluate learning with students

Team SCARLET

» Augmented Reality (AR) is a term for superimposing computer graphics over a live view of the real world

» Can be delivered on a desktop, television, mobile device etc.

Introduction to AR

» In televised sporting events real-time analytical information is displayed offering insight into a player, time left, league tables etc.

Examples of AR

» Combining the magic of seeing and handling primary sources with leading-edge technology to support research-led teaching.

» Surround objects with interpretative and contextual material.

» Bridging the gap between tutor-mediated seminars and independent learning.

» Using blended learning methodology.» Users retain information when actively involved in

a learning experience.

AR Student Benefits

» Morgan Stanley forecast that by 2014 mobile internet usage will overtake user access through traditional desktop means.

Mobile Usage

SCARLET Content

Bringing Special Collections to life using AR

GLUE-ing information to images

» The GLUE object or visual reference should be kept with the Edition, in this case Dante’s Landino but can also be copied for student to take away.

» User journey should be self contained to browser app.

Storyboarding – Phase 1 development

GLUE Object Landing page Webpage

Landing Page»Title»Short Description»Audio (Optional)»Video Walkthrough (Optional)»Email (Optional)Web page»Links to associated resources»Short piece of text to accompany links»Images (Optional)»RSS Feeds - Twitter, blog, news etc. (Optional)»Learning/Research Activities

Content Acquisition

Overview – Phase 1 workflow

Landing page WebpageGLUE Object

Student Learning Materials

» How effective is the AR app in allowing a more direct comparison of the 10 selected objects (Dante) in contrast to previous methods employed?

» How does the AR app assist in demonstrating an understanding of the changing media used for textual transmission.

» How can feedback be used to inform the next development phase?

» Does AR add value to students study and assist with learning outcomes?

Initial Evaluation objectives

User Journey

http://teamscarlet.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/userjourney.png

User Journey video

http://youtu.be/UzI1dtSQ7ac

» Technology was easy to use.» Provided a central reference to library systems

and external resources.» Beneficial for initial planning of essays and basic

knowledge acquisition.» Video introductions related to specific objects

were most valuable asset in the delivery.

Feedback - Positive

» Resources were already available online (Blackboard)

» Students felt divorced from physical object, linking to web app diluted the experience

» Activity was prescribed and not aligned with some users research methods consulting physical secondary texts.

Feedback - Negative

» Use of AR should be more contextual and linked to the object.

» Best used in short byte size learning chunks» Must deliver unique learning values different from

online support (e.g.VLE).» User should become less conscious of the

technology and more engaged with the text.» Users learn in different ways and AR may not be

appropriate to all students.» Evaluation needed from other user groups and

course areas.

Feedback – Lessons Learned

Next Steps

» Develop materials overlaid on the physical resource for other courses (Milton, Ancient Egyptian papyri).

» Work with library to promote public engagement.» Investigate funding opportunities in other subject

areas.» Disseminate tool kit at project end.

Next Steps

Other subject applications

» Project blog at http://teamscarlet.wordpress.com/ where all members of project contribute on all aspects (academic, technology, pedagogy, special collections.

» Twitter @team_scarlet» Email: matthew.ramirez@manchester.ac.uk

» Publications» CILIP Update magazine (February 2012)» SCONUL Focus (February 2012)

Project Communication

Thank you