Marker-based augmented reality application for mobile learning in an urban park: Steps to make it real under the EduPARK project

The gap between the use of mobile devices inside and outside school can lead to students' disengagement with learning activities in formal education. To fill this gap, educators can take advantage of mobile devices' dissemination to give students access to educational Augmented reality (AR) systems. However, this type of exploration is relatively new, and researchers are still studying AR's advantages and challenges in education. In that line, the EduPARK project is developing an interactive AR mobile application to support geocaching activities in outdoor environments, thus creating situated learning opportunities. It is to be explored by students and teachers from basic to higher education, but also by the public. The project follows a design-based research methodology, with several cycles of AR application development, user testing and evaluation. This manuscript is a work-in-progress report of the EduPARK project's options regarding the AR content and triggers, and points out some future directions. The EduPARK's option was to use image-based AR, with marker-based tracking, to display mainly botanical content. In a first implementation experience, 74 pupils (aged 9–10 and 13–14) from two schools tested a beta version of the application and AR markers in an urban park. Some technical issues, related to the markers' recognition, were observed and registered by both pupils and monitors, leading to the revision of the markers' purposes, structure, and content. Examples of refined AR markers and content are presented and discussed in this manuscript. Future work will include developing markerless tracking for this application in the selected urban park. Additionally, a proposal for the installation of the refined markers will be presented to the Park's management entity and the fully developed application will be freely offered to the public, promoting the autonomous exploration of this resource. This work is useful for teachers and both educational technology developers and researchers, as an example of how to successfully develop image-based AR for outdoor settings.