New Augmented Reality Applications - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 371

Figure 3. Examples of optical illusions: top, the Necker cube: (a) where two edges of the cube cross,
the image does not tell which one is in the front and which one in the back, (b) and (c) the two possible
interpretations of the cube; bottom, the Schroder stairs: both stairs are the same and interchangeable;
however, their perspectives are completely different

Advantages of Using AR in
Inorganic Chemistry education

Material Sciences teaches the relationship be-
tween the properties and the structure of materials.
Ceramic Inorganic Chemistry deals with ceramic
materials from an inorganic point of view. It also
deals with the importance of their structure in the
final properties that can be developed. Finally, in
Advanced Chemistry Laboratory, students have to
synthesize an inorganic pigment, which consists of
two main parts, a chromophore and a host matrix
that is a crystal structure.
These classes are well suited for AR application
because they are closely related and they are based
on the knowledge of the structure of compounds
and materials, especially ceramic materials. These
materials' structures are much better understood
using 3D models and rendering, and tangible
interfaces. In addition, these classes have another
advantage for the application of AR: all of them
are taught during the same semester. So, we can
teach at the same time material related to the three
classes, and we can plan coordinating activities.

The ambiguity of 2D models together with the dif-
ficulties of 3D analysis and perception imply that:

• Very often important concepts are not

assimilated,

• Problems that can be easily solved by rotat-

ing a structure and analyzing its symmetry
are almost unsolvable, even for competent
students, and

• Many students end up memorizing struc-

tures and problem solutions before the
exam, and a forgetting them few days later.

Instead, we want the students to derive struc-
tures from much simpler concepts. This would
help the knowledge settle in their minds. Our AR
system thus allows tangible interaction with the
virtual compounds and structures, thus simplify-
ing their 3D analysis. The main two benefits of
applying AR to our classes are: