Share Paper: The potential for haptic-enabled interaction to support collaborative learning in school biology

1. Mary Webb, King's College London, United Kingdom
2. Megan Tracey, King’s College London, United Kingdom
3. William Harwin, University of Reading, United Kingdom
4. Ozan Tokatli, University of Reading, United Kingdom
5. Faustina Hwang, University of Reading, United Kingdom
6. Ros Johnson, The Abbey School, Reading, United Kingdom
7. Natasha Barrett, University of Reading, United Kingdom
8. Chris Jones, University of Reading, United Kingdom

Abstract: This paper discusses the rationales and design considerations for developing the use of haptics (virtual touch) for learning aspects of cell biology in secondary schools. The paper considers issues in understanding concepts in cell biology and how a 3-D environment enabled by haptics could support learning of difficult concepts. In this endeavour, a number of educational and design challenges need to be addressed. First we need to identify the level of detail and realism that will support learning and visualisation rather than confuse through its overcomplexity or create misconceptions through oversimplification. Secondly we need to integrate the use of the ...