2012 Volume 10 Issue 1 Pages 11-31
We have developed a lunar surface browsing system with a tangible user interface by using augmented reality technology. It creates an interactive tabletop environment where learners can intuitively learn about lunar surface exploration from a printed map and multimedia projections. We performed two experiments to investigate the properties of the lunar surface browsing system. The first compared it with the moon as presented on Google Earth as a window, icon, mouse, and pointer (WIMP) environment. The results revealed that the lunar surface browsing system would be suitable as an interactive environment to assist children's learning. The second experiment was done in a practical situation at an exhibit in the Chiba Museum of Science and Industry. The results suggested that the browsing system would provide a learning environment where children and their parents could initiatively learn together.
