An Interactive Augmented Reality Alphabet 3-Dimensional Pop-up Book For learning and Recognizing the English Alphabet

This document describes the process developing an Augmented Reality (AR) alphabet
book mobile application. Using only an android phone camera, the child could view the
superimposed virtual alphabet 3 dimensional objects in a fun and interactive manner using
the marker-less physical alphabet book as the interaction tool. The reason behind choosing
alphabet teaching as the topic of the book is that the Alphabet knowledge is the core
knowledge of any language. It is a jump-start for children to start reading and recognizing
words and sentences, thus learning the alphabet is extremely important, for many
researchers, emphasizing on how early, child’s education shapes the child’s successful
future. Though there are, a great deal of technology based alphabet books; parents still prefer
buying the old style physical books or some might use a virtual technology based book
application. The problem is that though the physical book possesses many benefits, that our
generation and the generations long before us, have experienced, yet from the current
generation children’s point of view, they may in fact find it dull and boring. For, it is
commonly recognized, that the current generation children are surrounded all around by
technology and gadgets, that can make them board, easily distracted, and may refuse to
willingly use a plain non-technology book to learn, and if using a virtual application, they
will lose the benefits offered by a physical book. Knowing this, the use of Augmented
Reality should solve such a problem. For Augmented Reality (AR) is considered the best of
both worlds, where, real and virtual objects are combined in the real environment, that will
allow the use of both technology based application and a traditional physical book,
combining the benefits of both and meeting the child and the parent midway. Although AR
technology is not new, its possible potential in education is just beginning to be investigated.
The main aim of this research is to develop an interactive 3-Dimentional alphabet pop-up
book, and using digital storytelling, to help teach children to learn and recognize the
alphabets. The objectives of the study are to enhance the interactions of the alphabet book,
by creating an android application that contains animated interactive 3-Dimentional models,
interactive sounds, songs and music. Furthermore, to investigate the use of digital
storytelling (music, sounds), interactions and animation effect in learning engagement,
through using the augmented reality technology. The scope of this project and research is
very wide, it includes the 3D modeling, texturing, rigging & animation, book design and
content decision research, furthermore, Augmented Reality and Android application