This article describes an open-source robotic manipulator platform aimed at different levels of STEM education and popularization. It presents the hardware that was used to make a suitable low-cost low-weight manipulator and an evaluation of its capabilities, as well as the software components that were developed to make the platform accessible at…

This article introduces the development process of social presence-enabled augmented reality (SPEAR) tool, an innovative augmented reality (AR) based learning application tailored for online engineering education. SPEAR focuses on a learning module of structural beam-bending, empowering users to seamlessly integrate 3-D virtual beams into their…

Student question generation (SQG) is an effective strategy for improving reading comprehension. It helps students improve their understanding of reading materials, metacognitively monitor their comprehension, and self-correct comprehension gaps. Internet technologies have been used to facilitate SQG process through intensive peer support. However,…

Augmented reality (AR) for learning is a relevant topic that has recently received considerable attention. However, the current literature lacks a survey of AR-based educational approaches and experiences in the specific field of engineering studies. Five research questions were addressed: RQ1) engineering studies where AR is used; RQ2) types of…

This article addresses the problem of traffic congestion through a learning perspective, highlighting the capabilities of information, and communication technologies to transform society. Recent physical and mathematical analysis of congestion reveals that training drivers to keep a safe distance systematically contributes to the emergence and…

Educational virtual environments (EVEs) can enable effective learning experiences on various devices, including smartphones, using nonimmersive virtual reality (VR). To this purpose, researchers and educators should identify the most appropriate pedagogical techniques, not restarting from scratch but exploring which traditional e-learning and VR…

Global corporations are characterized by a large number of employees and geographically dispersed offices. Moreover, the competitiveness in the global market requires them to invest in their human resources to be able to remain a step ahead of competition. Implementing large scale classical education in such environments is challenging and costly.…

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face milestones in understanding other's preferences and intentions that in turn affect their reciprocity and interaction skills during a collaborative partnership. Investigators are advocating the use of digital-medium-based multiuser platforms to encourage learning of collaborative interaction…

This article introduces a set of teaching strategies to enhance second language learning for students with Down syndrome (DS) enrolled in an English course covering material from the first two years of primary school. A set of instructional support strategies has been defined and integrated into an online learning software, developed ad hoc to…

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that affects primary school students, which is difficult to tackle through traditional school learning due to limited resources. To this end, large-scale digital learning presents new opportunities to address the need for inclusive education. A unique challenge for students with dyslexia in Hong Kong is…

Recent research shows that learners who are able to self-regulate their learning show greater levels of engagement with massive open online course (MOOC) content. To improve support for learners in their self-regulatory processes, researchers have proposed technological solutions to transform recorded MOOC data into actionable knowledge. However,…

Gamification approaches to learning use game-inspired design elements to improve learning. Given manifold design options to implement gamification in virtual environments, an important but underexplored research area is how the composition of gamification elements affects learning. To advance research in this area, we systematically identified key…

In this paper, we address the problem of enhancing young people's awareness of the mechanisms involving privacy in online social networks by presenting an innovative approach based on gamification. In particular, we propose a web application that allows kids and teenagers to experience the typical dynamics of information spread through a realistic…

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) aim to "educate the world." More often than not, however, MOOCs fall short of this goal--a majority of learners are already highly educated (with a Bachelor's degree or more) and come from specific parts of the (developed) world. Learners from developing countries without a higher degree are…

The goal for this research is to articulate and test a new hybrid Augmented Reality (AR) environment for conceptual understanding. From the theoretical lens of embodied interaction, we have designed a multi-user participatory simulation called ARfract where visitors in a science museum can learn about complex scientific concepts on the refraction…