GEAR: A Game Based on E-learning and Augmented Reality Concepts

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a prototype GEAR, an educational game that uses augmented reality for enhancing the learning process. GEAR is a tool specifically designed to develop students learning model. It is based on the fact that students can visualize principles and test their learning in virtual scenarios while they are enjoying it. GEAR’s unique focus on alternative modes of doing laboratories exercises yields particularly interesting results. The presentation of GEAR is taken as an opportunity for proposing a uniform platform of practicing any course material using augmented reality and taking into considerations the pedagogical issues. Experiments were performed with one class of students. Results suggest that enjoyment and excitement are important factors in motivating students, and also that GEAR produces interesting new opportunities for social interaction and exchanging knowledge.