Title:	INTERACTIVE LEARNING TO STIMULATE THE BRAIN’S VISUAL CENTER AND TO ENHANCE MEMORY RETENTION
Author(s):	Yang H. Yun, Philip A. Allen, Kritsakorn Chaumpanich, Yingcai Xiao
ISBN:	978-989-8704-08-5
Editors:	Miguel Baptista Nunes and Maggie McPherson
Year:	2014
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Interactive Learning, Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad, Natural User Interface, Embodied Cognition.
Type:	Short Paper
First Page:	394
Last Page:	398
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	This short paper describes an ongoing NSF-funded project on enhancing science and engineering education using the latest technology. More specifically, the project aims at developing an interactive learning system with Microsoft KinectTM and Unity3D game engine. This system promotes active, rather than passive, learning by employing embodied cognition with interactive visual/spatial information, in which human movements could impact a lasting effect on both the short-term episodic and long-term memories of students. Two groups of Biomedical Engineering students at The University of Akron participated in a study of the four educational modules (Cell, DNA, Immune System, and Gene Therapy) and were tested after the conclusion of each educational session. The preliminary results show a trend toward better performance with the system compared to traditional instruction in second-year college students. However, more studies with a larger group and with a younger population, such as K-12, need to be evaluated since these students have a less developed visuo-spatial sketchpad relative to the sophomores in college.
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