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Using Augmented Reality and the Structure–Behavior–Function Model to Teach Lower Secondary School Students about the Human Circulatory System

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Abstract

Learning the basics of human anatomy is challenging for schoolchildren due to its three-dimensional nature and complexity as a system. This study created educational materials for learning about and teaching the human circulatory system based on augmented reality (AR) technology and a structure–behavior–function (SBF) model, including 2D/3D animations, a game, and a video to complement the current 2D representations in school textbooks. To evaluate the effectiveness of the materials developed, an instructional activity was carried out among fifty-one seventh- and eighth-grade students from a school in central Slovenia. A pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest for the instructional activity tested students’ knowledge, and their acceptance of the AR technology was explored through a questionnaire. The results showed significant improvements in students’ understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of the human heart and circulatory system and the effects of adrenaline on the human circulatory system. Students expressed moderate enthusiasm for AR technology, showing the greatest level of acceptance of AR technology making learning more interesting and fun, improving learning, and making it easy to use. Although students showing more knowledge on the pretest expressed higher acceptance of AR technology, the gain in knowledge after an instructional activity was equally beneficial for all participants. The study indicates a beneficial effect of applying 3D animation, videos, and AR technology to understand dynamic and complex biological phenomena.

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Acknowledgements

This research was conducted in 2018 as part of the project Razvoj multimedijskih vsebin za pouk anatomije v osnovni šoli (Developing Multimedia Content for Primary-School Anatomy Instruction) and was funded through a public call (Javni razpis projektno delo z gospodarstvom in negospodarstvom v lokalnem in regionalnem okolju – Po kreativni poti do znanja 2017–2020). We would like to thank everyone who helped conduct the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Tanja Gnidovec, Mojca Žemlja, Andreja Dolenec & Gregor Torkar

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  1. Tanja Gnidovec
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  2. Mojca Žemlja
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  3. Andreja Dolenec
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  4. Gregor Torkar
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Correspondence to Tanja Gnidovec.

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Gnidovec, T., Žemlja, M., Dolenec, A. et al. Using Augmented Reality and the Structure–Behavior–Function Model to Teach Lower Secondary School Students about the Human Circulatory System. J Sci Educ Technol 29, 774–784 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-020-09850-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-020-09850-8

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