Title: Improving the experience of teaching and learning kindergarten-level English vocabulary using augmented reality

Authors: Lap-Kei Lee; Cheuk-Him Chau; Chun-Hin Chau; Chun-Tim Ng; Jun-Hao Hu; Chun-Yin Wong; Lap-Chung Yu; Nga-In Wu

Addresses: School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' Division of Communication and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Community College, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

Abstract: This paper explores the possibility of using the augmented reality (AR) technology to improve the learning experience of kindergarten students, the teaching experience of teachers and to address the parents' concern that a long-time usage of electronic devices may affect their child's health. We developed two AR mobile application prototypes to teach kindergarten students English vocabulary in an interactive and attractive way. The first application allows kindergarten students to learn in any place and at any time using a mobile device. To address the parents' concern on health, a monitoring system is implemented to allow parents to monitor their child's usage and stop the application remotely. The other application targets to use AR to ease teachers' class preparation and teaching, and to improve students' learning experience. Preliminary evaluation and teacher feedbacks gave insights how practitioners can use AR in early childhood education and brings benefits to students, teachers and parents.

Keywords: augmented reality; English learning; early childhood education; educational games; parental perspectives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2019.097661

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2019 Vol.25 No.2, pp.110 - 125

Received: 03 Feb 2018
Accepted: 24 Apr 2018
Published online: 04 Feb 2019 *

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