MARE: Mobile Augmented Reality BasedExperiments in Science, Technology and Engineering

The average learner today, being quite exposed to information and communication technologytools, is less inclined to read books or manuals and prefers to carry out most of thecommunications on-line using new/modern electronic devices or gadgets. The traditionalteaching styles built around using only face-to-face classroom based lessons no longer suit thelearning styles of the average learner; introducing multimedia or other on-line content intoteaching results in improved performance by the learners. Blended e-learning or other on-lineteaching strategies tend to focus on the delivery of theoretical material; however thepedagogy/training of engineers, technologists and scientists involves a strong hands-onpractical/laboratory training component as they are expected to create new things/technologiesand not just repeat what previous generations did. The benefits of this hands-on or practicalcomponent include stimulating deep and reflective learning, thereby improving the creativeproblem solving capabilities while also providing exposure/insight into real world problemsand challenges. This chapter introduces mobile augmented reality (semi-immersive 3D virtualreality) as a vehicle for the delivery of practical laboratory experiments in science, technologyand engineering. Mobile augmented reality delivers multi-sensorial interactions with acomputing platform over commodity hardware technology that is already widely accepted.Two illustrated examples in the fields of micro-electronics and communications engineeringare presented to highlight the innovative features such as the ability to closely replicate anexisting laboratory based hands-on experiment and use of the mobile augmented realityexperiment as a blended learning aid for laboratory experiments or stand-alone off-lineexperiment for distance learning.