Interactive topography simulation sandbox for geography learning course

Abstract

Recently, there are huge number of researches focusing on development of teaching tools to enhance learning result. However, for some courses, they require a novel system to enhance learning environment. This research focuses on geography course in the use of color and contour lines in height differentiation according to altitude terrain. We implement an augmented reality sandbox to be an interaction terrain simulation learning aid by using sandbox, which show the elevation tint and contour line precisely and correctly based on the geography principle. When a user manipulate the height of sand in the box, the system will calculate the color and contour line that respect to the sand automatically. This system allows teacher to have interaction with student to decrease quantitative, but increase qualitative teaching. We conducted a pilot study with several high school students which gave us a good feedback and experimental results. Such results are also shown in this paper to demonstrate our achievement.