SIMNET: simulation-based exercises for computer net-work curriculum through gamification and augmented reality

Gamification and Augmented Reality techniques, in recent years, have tackled many subjects and environments. Its implementation can, in particular, strengthen teaching and learning processes in schools and universities. Therefore, new forms of knowledge, based on interactions with objects, contributing game, experimentation and collaborative work. Through the technologies mentioned above, we intend to develop an application that serves as a didactic tool, giving support in the area of Computer Networks. This application aims to stand out in simulated controlled environments to create computer networks, taking into ac-count the necessary physical devices and the different physical and logical topologies. The main goal is to enrich the students’ learning experiences and contrib-ute to teacher-student interaction, through collaborative learning provided by the tool, minimizing the need for expensive equipment in learning environments.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Developing serious games for cultural heritage: a state-of-the-art review

Although the widespread use of gaming for leisure purposes has been well documented, the use of games to support cultural heritage purposes, such as historical teaching and learning, or for enhancing museum visits, has been less well considered. The state-of-the-art in serious game technology is identical to that of the state-of-the-art in entertainment games technology. As a result, the field of serious heritage games concerns itself with recent advances in computer games, real-time computer graphics, virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence. On the other hand, the main strengths of serious gaming applications may be generalised as being in the areas of communication, visual expression of information, collaboration mechanisms, interactivity and entertainment. In this report, we will focus on the state-of-the-art with respect to the theories, methods and technologies used in serious heritage games. We provide an overview of existing literature of relevance to the domain, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the described methods and point out unsolved problems and challenges. In addition, several case studies illustrating the application of methods and technologies used in cultural heritage are presented

Tangible user interfaces : past, present and future directions

In the last two decades, Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds. Drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, TUIs show a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information. However, TUI research is still in its infancy and extensive research is required in or- der to fully understand the implications of tangible user interfaces, to develop technologies that further bridge the digital and the physical, and to guide TUI design with empirical knowledge. This paper examines the existing body of work on Tangible User In- terfaces. We start by sketching the history of tangible user interfaces, examining the intellectual origins of this field. We then present TUIs in a broader context, survey application domains, and review frame- works and taxonomies. We also discuss conceptual foundations of TUIs including perspectives from cognitive sciences, phycology, and philoso- phy. Methods and technologies for designing, building, and evaluating TUIs are also addressed. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limita- tions of TUIs and chart directions for future research

Research and Education in Computational Science and Engineering

Over the past two decades the field of computational science and engineering (CSE) has penetrated both basic and applied research in academia, industry, and laboratories to advance discovery, optimize systems, support decision-makers, and educate the scientific and engineering workforce. Informed by centuries of theory and experiment, CSE performs computational experiments to answer questions that neither theory nor experiment alone is equipped to answer. CSE provides scientists and engineers of all persuasions with algorithmic inventions and software systems that transcend disciplines and scales. Carried on a wave of digital technology, CSE brings the power of parallelism to bear on troves of data. Mathematics-based advanced computing has become a prevalent means of discovery and innovation in essentially all areas of science, engineering, technology, and society; and the CSE community is at the core of this transformation. However, a combination of disruptive developments---including the architectural complexity of extreme-scale computing, the data revolution that engulfs the planet, and the specialization required to follow the applications to new frontiers---is redefining the scope and reach of the CSE endeavor. This report describes the rapid expansion of CSE and the challenges to sustaining its bold advances. The report also presents strategies and directions for CSE research and education for the next decade.Comment: Major revision, to appear in SIAM Revie

Human factor in industry of the future - Knowledge acquisition and motivation

Industry of the future bases on people knowledge, creativeness and motivations. Although, the number of workers needed in factories of the future decreases, the requiremenets concerning employees skills have been increasing. The knowledge of employees determines the factory system quality and efficiency. The motivation of people determines continuous improvement and development realized by problems identification and elimination. Hence, adequate learning methods are required to be implemented to achieve the following goals: empower and motivate people. This paper presents chosen methods such as learning by doing, computer simulations and virtual reality which support knowledge acquisition by people being prepared for work in factories of the future. The presented methods also increase employee awareness concerning possibilities of improvements

Augmented Reality and Animation Supported-STEM Activities in Grades K-12: Water Treatment

Animation is used to increase the interest and engagement of students in the learning environment. Animation is exciting and fun, and using animation, abstract concepts are easy to present, display, and convey to students. Augmented reality, like animation, can help make it easier to understand abstract concepts. In many areas, augmented reality is used in education since it perfectly integrates virtual content with the natural world. STEM education is one of the areas where augmented reality can be used effectively. In this context, this research aimed to reveal the fourth-grade students' opinions about augmented reality and animation-supported STEM activities on the "Water Treatment" topic. These  STEM activities were carried out with 15 (7 females, 8 males) fourth-grade students from a primary school in Turkey and lasted for 6 lesson hours. This study is a case study. As data collection tools in the study, the Know-Want-Learned chart, and the Application General Evaluation Form, which consists of eight open-ended questions developed by the researchers, were used. Based on the study's findings and the researchers' observations, it was determined that the augmented reality and animation-supported STEM activities are appropriate for acquisition, content, application, active participation, duration, and student level. In addition, the activities were enjoyable, humorous, engaging, and exciting. It is recommended in this context to conduct similar studies on different disciplines or concepts.