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Augmented reality-based approach for interactivity in MOOCs

Hamada El Kabtane (Department of Computer Science, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco)
Mohamed El Adnani (Department of Computer Science, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco)
Mohamed Sadgal (Department of Computer Science, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco)
Youssef Mourdi (Department of Computer Science, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco)

International Journal of Web Information Systems

ISSN: 1744-0084

Article publication date: 19 November 2018

Issue publication date: 10 June 2019

303

Abstract

Purpose

MOOCs represent a new concept that offers learning content to participants freely, anywhere and anytime. However, they suffer from several unsolved problems such as high dropout percentage, low completion rate or uncontrollable understanding level of the participants that can be caused by the lack of the practical activities and simulations. This article aims to propose a solution to ensure the integration of virtual manipulations in MOOCs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes the integration of virtual manipulations (simulations and practical activities) relying on augmented reality. To ensure the manipulation of the used 3D objects, two methods have been proposed based on markers or hand gestures. Customized markers are used, facilitating their recognition by the users, to visualize the objects and to ensure their interactions. Hand gestures have been proposed to perform the manipulation easily. Consequently, hand detection and gestures classification using hand contour detection and HSV filter have been applied.

Findings

Two MOOCs pedagogically similar were proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed solution. The only difference is that the second MOOC contains virtual manipulations that the participants can perform to understand better and to interact during the courses. The finding results show that the participants’ understanding and satisfaction levels in the second MOOC were higher, and the dropout rate was lower than the first one.

Originality/value

The integration of practical activities/simulations in MOOCs using augmented reality is the key novelty of our work. To do so, two manipulation methods have been proposed, so the instructor can feel free to choose the adequate method to ensure a better progress of the manipulations.

Keywords

Citation

El Kabtane, H., El Adnani, M., Sadgal, M. and Mourdi, Y. (2019), "Augmented reality-based approach for interactivity in MOOCs", International Journal of Web Information Systems, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 134-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWIS-04-2018-0033

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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